Even though English is spoken in many places around the world, it varies significantly from one country to another. Ireland, in particular, boasts its own lively and colorful vernacular. Here, we present a collection of popular Irish slang words and phrases that are commonly heard across the Emerald Isle. While the slang can vary by region, most of these expressions are widely understood. Whether you’re gearing up for Paddy’s Day or just curious, it’s always a good time to give them a go. But take a word of advice from this Irish gal: refrain from calling folks “eejits” in Dublin anytime soon.
- Craic
Meaning: Fun, banter, or a good time.
In a sentence: “He’s a great bit of craic altogether!” / “Are ye going to the party on Friday? Should be good craic!” - Eejit
Meaning: A fool or someone annoying.
In a sentence: “He’s a complete eejit!” - Gobshite
Meaning: An idiot or someone who talks nonsense.
In a sentence: “Don’t pay attention to that gobshite.” - Jacks/Bog/Loo
Meaning: The restroom.
In a sentence: “I’m off to the jacks.” / “Do we have any bog roll left?” - Donkey’s Years/Yonks
Meaning: A long time.
In a sentence: “She was there for donkey’s years.” / “Haven’t seen you in yonks!” - Bleedin’
Meaning: Used like ‘bloody’ in British English or ‘damn’ in American English.
In a sentence: “Get out of the bleedin’ car!” - Give Out
Meaning: To complain or reprimand.
In a sentence: “The teacher gave out to him for forgetting his homework.” / “What are you giving out about now?” - Feck
Meaning: A milder version of the F word.
In a sentence: “Would you ever feck off and stop bothering me?” - Mitch/On The Hop
Meaning: To skip school.
In a sentence: “She got detention for mitching.” / “I nearly flunked my Leaving Cert ’cause I was always on the hop.” - Shift/Meet
Meaning: To kiss.
In a sentence: “They were shifting behind the school.” / “Will ya meet my mate?” - Ossified/Locked/Hammered/Legless/Langers
Meaning: Very drunk.
In a sentence: “I was absolutely ossified last night…” - Banjaxed
Meaning: Broken or beyond repair.
In a sentence: “My car is totally banjaxed.” - State
Meaning: The poor condition of something.
In a sentence: “Look at the state of my car; it’s absolutely banjaxed!” - Ye/Yous/Yiz
Meaning: Plural form of ‘you’; ‘ye’ is common outside Dublin, while ‘yous’ or ‘yiz’ is more common in Dublin.
In a sentence: “Did ye see the latest episode?” / “Are yous going to the match?” / “Where are yiz off to?” - Doss
Meaning: To slack off.
In a sentence: “She’s always dossing.” / “That class was such a doss.” - Acting The Maggot
Meaning: Acting foolishly.
In a sentence: “Stop acting the maggot and pose for the photo.” - Oul One/Oul Fella
Meaning: An older woman or man, often used to refer to one’s parents.
In a sentence: “Me oul one will kill me!” / “That’s the oul fella who lives at the end of my street.” - Young One/Young Fella
Meaning: A younger person, usually a girl or boy.
In a sentence: “Stay away from that young one.” / “Her young fella is heading to college in September.” - Your Man/Your One
Meaning: Any man or woman.
In a sentence: “Your man can’t drive; look at him!” / “Is that your one from the telly?” - Thick
Meaning: Stupid or angry.
In a sentence: “She’s still thick over it.” / “Your man is quite thick – as stupid as a plank of wood!” - Gammy
Meaning: Injured or odd-looking.
In a sentence: “He has a gammy knee after the match.” - Holy Show
Meaning: An embarrassing situation.
In a sentence: “She made a holy show of herself.” - Gas
Meaning: Amusing or funny.
In a sentence: “He’s a gas ticket.” - Earwigging
Meaning: Eavesdropping.
In a sentence: “Were you earwiggin’ again?” - Scarlet
Meaning: Extremely embarrassed.
In a sentence: “I really put my foot in it; I was scarlet.” - Kip
Meaning: A sleep or a messy place.
In a sentence: “I got a decent kip last night.” / “The hotel was a kip.” - Throw Shapes
Meaning: To dance energetically.
In a sentence: “You were throwin’ some shapes on the dance floor last night.” - Knackered/Wrecked/Shattered
Meaning: Exhausted.
In a sentence: “I’m off to bed; I’m absolutely knackered.” - All Over The Shop
Meaning: Chaotic or scattered.
In a sentence: “You should’ve seen me after my wisdom teeth were out; I was all over the shop.” - Cat
Meaning: Rubbish or poor quality.
In a sentence: “The festival was pure cat; it rained the entire time.” - Delira
Meaning: A Dublin variation of ‘delighted.’
In a sentence: “It only cost me a fiver, I was delira.” - In A Heap
Meaning: In a disordered state.
In a sentence: “I swore I’d never drink again; I was in a heap after last time.” - Hape
Meaning: A lot.
In a sentence: “There’s a hape of people inside.” - Cod/Mess
Meaning: To joke or tease.
In a sentence: “I’m only messin’.” / “I’m just coddin’ ya.” - Like Mad
Meaning: Excessively or often.
In a sentence: “She does be drinking like mad when she’s out.” - Effin’ and Blindin’
Meaning: To curse or swear.
In a sentence: “You should’ve heard the language; he was effin’ and blindin’ like mad!” - Bogger/Culchie
Meaning: Someone from the countryside, or if from Dublin, someone from outside the city.
In a sentence: “The town is full of boggers/culchies for the GAA match.” - Jackeen
Meaning: A person from Dublin.
In a sentence: “The Jackeens are a bit full of themselves.”
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In summary, Irish slang is vibrant and diverse, reflecting the rich culture of the Emerald Isle. Whether it’s having a bit of craic or describing an eejit, these phrases add a unique flair to conversations.