While English is spoken across the globe, it often varies in its expressions and colloquialisms. Ireland, known for its rich cultural heritage, boasts a lively assortment of slang that reflects its vibrant spirit. Here’s a collection of popular Irish slang terms and phrases that you’re likely to hear throughout the Emerald Isle. Although the usage can vary by region, these expressions are commonly recognized across Ireland. So, whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just looking to add some flair to your conversations, give these a whirl—but maybe steer clear of calling anyone an “eejit” while in Dublin.
Craic
Definition: Fun, banter, or a good time.
Example: “He’s a great bit of craic altogether” / “You going to the party on Friday? Should be good craic!”
Eejit
Definition: A fool or someone irritating.
Example: “He’s an awful eejit!”
Gobshite
Definition: A person who talks nonsense or is foolish.
Example: “Don’t listen to that gobshite.”
Jacks/Bog/Loo
Definition: The bathroom or toilet.
Example: “I’m goin’ the jacks” / “Have we any more bog roll?”
Donkey’s Years/Yonks
Definition: A long duration of time.
Example: “She was working there donkey’s years” / “I haven’t seen you in yonks!”
Bleedin’
Definition: An expletive similar to ‘bloody’ or ‘damn.’
Example: “Get out of the bleedin’ car!”
Give Out
Definition: To complain or scold.
Example: “The teacher gave out to him ’cause he forgot his homework” / “What are you giving out about now?”
Feck
Definition: A milder version of a curse word.
Example: “Would you ever feck off and don’t be bothering me.”
Mitch/On The Hop
Definition: To skip school.
Example: “She got detention for mitching” / “I nearly failed my Leaving Cert ’cause I was always on the hop.”
Shift/Meet
Definition: To kiss.
Example: “They were shifting behind the school” / “Will ya meet my mate?”
Ossified/Locked/Hammered/Legless/Langers
Definition: Extremely intoxicated.
Example: “I was absolutely ossified last night…”
Banjaxed
Definition: Broken or in a state beyond repair.
Example: “My car is absolutely banjaxed.”
State
Definition: The poor condition of something.
Example: “The state of my car, it’s absolutely banjaxed!”
Ye/Yous/Yiz
Definition: Plural form of ‘you’; ‘ye’ is more common outside of Dublin, while ‘yous’ or ‘yiz’ is common in Dublin.
Example: “Did ye see the latest episode?” / “Are yous going to the match?” / “Where are yiz going?”
Doss
Definition: To avoid work or somewhere to relax.
Example: “She’s always dossing” / “That class was such a doss.”
Acting The Maggot
Definition: Acting foolishly.
Example: “Stop acting the maggot and pose for the photo.”
Oul One/Oul Fella
Definition: Older women or men; can also refer to one’s parents.
Example: “Me oul one will kill me!” / “That’s the oul fella who lives at the end of my road.”
Young One/Young Fella
Definition: A younger girl or boy, typically pre-teen to college age.
Example: “Stay away from that young one” / “Her young fella is off to college in September.”
Your Man/Your One
Definition: Refers to any man or woman.
Example: “Your man can’t drive, look at him!” / “Is that your one off the telly?”
Thick
Definition: Angry or dull-witted.
Example: “She’s still thick over it” / “Your man is some eejit – he’s thick as a plank of wood!”
Gammy
Definition: Injured or oddly shaped.
Example: “He has a gammy knee after the match the other day.”
Holy Show
Definition: An embarrassing situation.
Example: “She made a holy show of herself.”
Gas
Definition: Hilarious or entertaining.
Example: “He’s a gas ticket.”
Earwigging
Definition: Eavesdropping.
Example: “Were you earwiggin’ again?”
Scarlet
Definition: Extremely embarrassed.
Example: “I really put my foot in it, I was scarlet.”
Kip
Definition: A nap or a shabby place.
Example: “I got a decent kip last night” / “The hotel was a kip.”
Throw Shapes
Definition: To dance energetically.
Example: “You were throwin’ some shapes on the dance floor last night.”
Knackered/Wrecked/Shattered
Definition: Exhausted.
Example: “I’m headed to bed, I’m absolutely knackered.”
All Over The Shop
Definition: Disorganized or chaotic.
Example: “You should’ve seen me after I got my wisdom teeth taken out, I was all over the shop.”
Cat
Definition: Nonsense or poor quality.
Example: “The festival was pure cat, it rained the whole time.”
Delira
Definition: Dublin slang for ‘delighted.’
Example: “It only cost me a fiver, I was delira.”
In A Heap
Definition: In a state of disarray.
Example: “I swore I’d never drink again, I was in a heap after the last time.”
Hape
Definition: A large quantity.
Example: “There’s a hape of people in there.”
Cod/Mess
Definition: To joke or tease.
Example: “I’m only messin’” / “I’m only coddin’ ya.”
Like Mad
Definition: A lot or excessively.
Example: “She does be drinking like mad when she’s out.”
Effin’ and Blindin’
Definition: To curse or use foul language.
Example: “You should’ve heard the language out of him, he was effin’ and blindin’ like mad!”
Bogger/Culchie
Definition: A person from the countryside, or outside Dublin.
Example: “Town is full of boggers/culchies for the GAA match.”
Jackeen
Definition: A term for someone from Dublin, especially in a derogatory sense.
Example: “The Jackeens are full of themselves.”
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In summary, Irish slang is a colorful and entertaining aspect of the language that can enhance your conversations. From expressing fun and banter to describing everyday situations, these terms are a testament to the warmth and humor of Irish culture.