General Flashcards
Dublin
ˈdʌblɪn
Ireland
ˈaɪərlənd
Occur
əˈkɜr
Hazardous
ˈhæzərdəs
Foreseeable
fɔrˈsiəbəl
Career
kəˈrɪr
What’s the story?
A greeting or way of asking,
“How are you?” or
“What’s happening?”
Deadly
It means something great or awesome.
For example, “That gig was deadly!”
Gaff
Gaff refers to a house or home.
For example, “I’m heading over to John’s gaff later.”
Yer man/Yer wan
Yer man/Yer wan means “That guy” or “That girl.”
Used when referring to someone whose name you might not know or remember.
For example, “Yer man over there is acting a bit strange.”
Grand
Grand means fine, good, or okay. It’s used to express that something is satisfactory.
For example, “How are you?” “I’m grand.”
Scarlet
Scarlet means extremely embarrassed.
For example, “I was scarlet when I fell in front of everyone.”
Eejit
Eejit is an idiot or fool, often used in a lighthearted or affectionate way.
For example, “Don’t mind him, he’s a bit of an eejit.”
Jacks
Jacks refers to the toilet or restroom.
For example, “I’ll be back in a minute, just heading to the jacks.”
Morto
Morto means mortified or deeply embarrassed.
For example, “I was morto when I forgot my lines during the presentation.”
Shift
Shift means to kiss someone, usually with some passion.
For example, “Did you see them shifting at the party last night?”
Yoke
Yoke refers to a thing or object, often used when the name of the object is not known or is irrelevant.
For example, “Hand me that yoke over there.”
Fluthered
Fluthered means very drunk.
For example, “He was absolutely fluthered last night.”
Acting the maggot
Acting the maggot means messing around or behaving foolishly.
For example, “Stop acting the maggot and get on with your work!”
Gom
Gom is a foolish person or simpleton.
For example, “Don’t be such a gom!”
Go way outta that
Go way outta that is an expression of disbelief or surprise, similar to “You’re kidding!”
For example, “Go way outta that, you didn’t actually do that, did you?”
Sound
Sound means cool, nice, or agreeable. It’s a compliment, meaning someone is kind or reliable.
For example, “He’s a sound lad.”
Culchie
Culchie is a person from the countryside, often used by Dubliners to refer to someone from outside the city.
For example, “He’s a culchie from down the country.”
Banjaxed
Banjaxed means broken or ruined.
For example, “My phone is banjaxed, it won’t even turn on.”
Ride
Ride refers to an attractive person, often used to describe someone very good-looking.
For example, “She’s an absolute ride.”
Bagsy
Bagsy means to claim something for yourself, similar to “dibs” in American slang.
For example, “Bagsy the front seat!”
Craic
Fun or a good time
‘Craic’ is an Irish word and it means fun or a good time.
For example, hiking trips are described as good craic.
People who are fun to be around are good craic.
Enjoyable night’s out are good craic.
So, when you hear someone describe a conference as great craic, just know that they are having a good time!
Yer man
Referring to a specific person, usually when you can’t recall their name.
Example: “Yer man from down the street fixed my car; he’s a great mechanic.”
What’s the story?
When Irish people meet up they’ll say, “what’s the story?”, which is another way of saying “hello” or “what’s happening?”.
Plastered
Drunk
You put the heart across me
If you spook or accidentally frighten an Irish person and they say “you put the heart across me”, they really mean that you took them by surprise.
Sound
Cool or Awesome
A way of describing someone in a good way “he/shes sound”
Cop on
To gain understanding or common sense.
Example: “You need to cop on and start taking your responsibilities seriously.”
Eejit
Idiot
A way of saying idiot that represents the way it is pronounced by some people.
Gargle
“Gargle” – Beer One can go “on the gargle” meaning to go drinking.
Example: “Ah, a lifetime of garglin’ has dimmed poor James’ brain”
“Scuttered” – heavily intoxicated.
This will no doubt be useful. There’re as many words for drunk as there are pubs in Dublin.
Craic
Craic – fun and joyful revelry. Can also mean the details of a particular topic or news, in general.
This is a pretty well-known one but is essential.
Examples:
“The pub last night was great craic”.
“ What’s the craic with smoking inside?
There’s no smoking inside, but there’s a beer garden out the back”.
Scuttered
“Scuttered” – heavily intoxicated
This will no doubt be useful. There’re as many words for drunk as there are pubs in Dublin
Example: “James is so scuttered he’s having an argument with his reflection.”
Some others: Legless, bollocked, wrecked, Ossified, langard, rat-arsed, plastered, locked
Hangin
Hangin’ – hungover
Example: “ Keep the noise down please I am f**kin’ hangin’ ”
Others: Dyin’, in bits
Fine
‘Fine’ is one of the more confusing Irish slang terms. It’s usually used, like ‘Grand’, as a way of fending off further discussion, for example, ‘You’re clearly angry – what’s wrong?’ ‘Nothing. It’s fine’.
It can also be used to describe someone you find attractive, for example, ‘They’re a fine thing’.
Culchie
A ‘Culchie’ is someone that’s from rural Ireland. It’s thought that this word comes from the Irish for ‘Back of the house’, which is ‘Cúl an tí’.
It was a popular custom in rural Ireland to enter a house via the back door, rather than the front, to avoid dragging dirt in through the more formal entrance.
It’s thought that the word ‘Culchie’ stems from Cúl an tí’ and is used to describe people who practice/are perceived to practice this custom.
Yoke
We use the word ‘Yoke’ as a substitute for the word ‘Thing’ or to describe someone that we don’t like. For example, ‘Don’t forget the yoke’ or ‘Karen’s brother is some yoke!’.
Interestingly enough, ‘Yoke’ is one of the older Irish terms with it first popping up in the 1894 book ‘Kerrigan’s Quality’, by Dubliner Jane Barlow.
Feck
Made famous by the Father Ted series on TV, ‘Feck’ is arguably one of the most famous Irish slang words, however, its meaning varies depending on the user.
Some use it as a less bold way of saying ‘F*ck’ while others use it to describe someone they don’t like/someone who has annoyed them, for example, ‘That fecker short changed me by a Euro!’.
Banjaxed
Banjaxed
‘Banjaxed’ is one of several Irish phrases used to describe something/someone as ‘Broke/in a bad way’. For example, ‘That oven is banjaxed’ or ‘I was banjexed this morning after those pints last night’.
This is one of the older Irish terms and it can be traced back as far as 1929 when Sean O’Casey used it in the play ‘Juno and the Paycock’.
Craic
The word ‘Craic’ can be used in a couple of different ways. The first is its use to describe something as ‘Fun’, for example, ‘Last night was some craic!’.
You can also ask ‘What’s the craic/Any craic?’ as a greeting, which means ‘What’s going on?’ or ‘Any news/gossip?’.
Grand
‘Grand’ is one of the more confusing Irish slang words as the tone and context in which it is used will change its meaning. It can be used to describe something that’s good or OK.
For example, ‘That’s a grand bit of sunshine’. The confusion arises when someone uses ‘Grand’ as a response to ‘Are you/is it OK?’. In this instance, people use ‘Grand’ as a way of avoiding discussion.
Gobsh*te
Few Irish words have achieved widespread fondness like ‘Gobsh*te’, a bit of slang generally used to describe someone foolish.
For example, ‘I don’t believe it – that gobsh*te has put bleach on the carpet instead of water’.
Eejit
Eejit
One of the more famous Irish insults, an ‘Eejit’ is someone that’s foolish or someone that has done something foolish.
For example, ‘Yer man is some eejit – he stuck a load of petrol into the car and sure hasn’t it got a diesel engine!’.
Deadly
Deadly
Commonly used in everyday Dublin slang, ‘Deadly’ is Irish slang for ‘Good/great’.
For example, ‘This Irish phrases guide would be deadly if it wasn’t for those fec*in ads!’.
Giving out
Giving out
Although many of us in Ireland think ‘Giving out’, which means ‘To scold/complain’, has a fairly obvious meaning, it’s one of many Irish slang words that causes widespread confusion to visitors.
It’s believed that it comes from the Irish words ‘Tabhairt amach’, which mean to ‘Give out’. For example, ‘Mary was giving out about what you did to her window!’.
Slagging
Slagging
‘Slagging/to slag’ means to insult someone but usually in a way that isn’t meant to hurt that persons feelings.
For example, you might use one of the funny Irish sayings as a slag, like ‘If you were any longer you’d be late’.
The jacks
‘The jacks’ are what many of us call the toilet in Ireland. For example, ‘I’ll be there in a minute I need to use the jacks’.
Interestingly enough, it’s thought this slang come from an Irish fella called ‘Jack Power’ who invented the first multi-toilet cubicles (see more random facts about Ireland)!
Boll*x
‘Bollx’ or ‘Bollcks’ are Irish slang words that refer to a man’s neither regions. It can be used in several ways and the intended meaning will depend on tone/context.
For example, ‘He’s some boll*x’ might refer to someone you dislike if the tone is negative, but it could refer to your best friend if the tone is positive.
Pox
A ‘Pox’ is someone that’s a nuisance. For example, He’s a miserable little pox’.
There’s some Dublin slang variations of this including ‘Pox bottle’ which I heard my dad use when I was a kid.
Gombeen
‘Gombeen’ is one of the more unusual Irish idioms. It comes from the Irish word ‘Gaimbín’ which translates to ‘Monetary interest’ and it was originally used to describe money lenders.
We use ‘Gombeen’ to describe Del Boy Trotter types, i.e. wheeler dealers looking to make money off of you.
Gobdaw
‘Gobdaw’ is another of the Irish terms used to describe someone foolish or stupid.
For example, ‘Did you hear Bernie’s young fella left the front door open and the place was robbed? He’s some Gobdaw!’.
Wagon
One of the first Irish expressions in this guide that’s gender specific, a ‘Wagon’ is used to describe a female that’s acting/acted in a particular way.
For example, ‘My little one won’t sleep at all at night, the little wagon!’.
Minus craic
‘Minus craic’ describes a situation or a person that’s no fun (similar to the funny Irish saying ‘Craic vacuum’).
For example, ‘We were at Michael’s 21st last night. There was only four of us there – it was minus craic’.
Geebag
Another of the gender specific Irish expressions, a ‘Geebag’ is used to describe a female you dislike.
For example, ‘Mrs. O’Toole gave us about 7 weeks worth of maths homework. What a geebag’.
Dope
Now, for our American readers – when we say ‘Dope’ in Ireland, we’re not talking about anything dodgy. In Ireland, ‘Dope’ is another way of describing someone stupid.
For example, ‘Her new fella was here last night. Talk about a dope’.
Sap
The use of the word ‘Sap’ dates back to 1815 and it’s thought to come from the word ‘Saphead’.
If you call someone a ‘Sap’ in Ireland you’re usually describing them as a fool or a simpleton.
Cute hoor
‘Cute hoor’ is one of the older Irish slang phrases and it can be dated back to at least 1983 when it was used in the ‘Evening Herald’ paper to describe two politicians.
‘A cute hoor‘ is used to describe someone that’s relatively crafty and that’s able to mould a situation to benefit themselves.
For example, ‘He’s a cute hoor that fella, always manages to get a free ticket to the concerts in the Phoenix Park’.
Gowl
The word ‘Gowl’ is most frequently used as part of Limerick and Northern Irish slang words. It comes from the Irish word for ‘Foreigner’, which is ‘Gall’.
It’s thought that the native Irish would have referred to the English in this way and the term became a word for someone you dislike.
Drysh*te
A ‘Drysh*te’ is used to describe a person that is either boring, no fun or whom is deemed to have taken the fun from a situation.
For example, ‘All them lads do is sit in and play the Xbox. They’re a pair of drysh*tes’.
Kip
‘Kip’ is one of the more common Irish terms and it’s thought that it comes from the Danish ‘Kippe’, which means ‘Dive/cheap inn/hovel’.
In Ireland, we use ‘Kip’ to describe a place that’s messy/dirty. For example, ‘That hotel was an absolute kip’.
Scut
The term ‘Scut’ is thought to come from ‘Scut work’ which was an old way of describing manual labour.
A ‘Scut’ is someone that’s perceived to be a waster or someone with a lower than average intelligence.
Dosser
‘Dosser’ is one of the Irish expressions that you hear in schools around Ireland, and it’s used to describe someone that’s doing anything other than what they should be doing.
You’ll often hear it used to describe people that are lazy and that are avoiding doing any work. For example, ‘Stop dossing and do your work, you little dosser’.
Tool
‘Tool’ is one of the less-offensive Irish slang phrases and it’s a less-severe way of calling someone an idiot/clown.
For example, ‘Did you see what she posted on Facebook?! What a tool!’.
Top of the morning
Good morning
Melter
In my experience, ‘Melter’ is one of the Dublin slang words but it’s likely used in many parts of Ireland.
It’s used to describe someone that’s annoying. For example, ‘That lad keeps on texting me. He’s a bleedin’ melter’.
Chancer
If someone is known to be an opportunist, usually in a dubious manner or in a way that’s seen to be dishonest, he’s called a ‘Chancer’.
For example, ‘His father was a chancer as well – he used to sell chickens each Christmas and tell people they were little turkeys’.
In bits
You can use ‘In bits’ as Irish slang for drunk. Or you can use it to describe how you feel when you’re hungover.
You can also describe someone you find unnatractive as ‘In bits’, for example, ‘I would go near that lad – he’s in bits’.
Thick
‘Thick’ means ‘Stupid’. For example, ‘That thick Kerrie crashed my car’. It can also be used to describe someone that’s annoyed.
‘You’ve a big thick head on you – what’s wrong?!’.
Muppet
‘Muppet’ describes someone foolish.
For example, ‘I head you lost your new phone, you muppet!’.
Tosspot
‘Tosspot’ is slang from England that’s used in Ireland. Although we use it here to describe someone we dislike, it was originally used to describe someone who drank heavily.
In Middle England, beer was served in a ceramic pot. A ‘Tosspot’ was a word given to someone who drank too much and who ‘Tossed’ back pots of beer.
Manky
The word ‘Manky’ describes something that’s dirty.
For example,
‘Their kitchen is manky. You’d be safer eating in the jacks’.
Dose
If you called a person a ‘Dose’, you’d be referring to them as annoying or a pain in the backside.
You can also refer to a sickness as a ‘Dose’, for example, ‘I’ve had a bad dose on me since I was caught out in the rain’.
Hallion
A ‘Hallion’ is someone that’s seen to be useless. It can also mean someone that’s clowning around someone that’s a bit of a rogue.
For example, ‘You’re two kids are a right couple of hallions’.
C’mere to me
The Irish slang words ‘C’mere to me’ aren’t actually used to ask someone to come closer to you – they’re generally used before you ask a question.
For example, ‘C’mere to me, what was that new mechanic like.
Eat the head off
If you were to ‘Eat the head off’ off someone it would mean that you scolded them in an aggressive manner.
For example, ‘I was so annoyed I ate the heads off the pair of them!’.
The craic was 90
This is another of the Irish phrases to describe a situation that you found fun.
For example, ‘We dropped into the local on Sunday – the craic was 90 after the game!’.
Sure look
Few Irish expressions cause confusion like ‘Sure look’, which is used, in my experience, as a way of saying ‘Ah, well!’.
For example, ‘Did you hear they lost the match? That’s us gone until next year!’. ‘Ah, sure look – they did their best’.
Gimme a shot
‘A shot’ is another way of saying ‘A go’. If someone asks you to give them ‘A shot of’ something, they’re asking to use it.
For example, ‘Those gloves look grand and warm – gimme a shot of them for a minute I’m freezing!’.
Shifting/meeting
These are two Irish phrases used to describe kissing. Growing up in Dublin in the 90s, you’d hear ‘Will you meet him/her’ when someone was being asked to kiss someone.
‘Shifting’, in my experience, is generally used by people from more rural parts of Ireland.
Yer man/yer one
‘Yer man/yer one’ is a way of referring to a man/woman that you either aren’t overly familiar with or that you aren’t too fond of.
For example, ‘The state of yer man there in his blue leather jacket’.
Will I, yea/I will, yea?!
One of the Irish expressions that abides by absolutely no rules of the English language, we use ‘Will I, yea’ as a response to an instruction that we have no intention of following.
For example, ‘You’ll be getting off your hole and emptying the bins in 5 minutes’. ‘Will I, yea?!’.
Acting the maggot
If a person is ‘Acting the maggot’ they’re messing around/dossing… i.e. they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing.
For example, ‘That young lad was in here last night acting the maggot’.
Lash
‘Lash’ is one of many Irish terms that can be used in several different ways. It can be used to describe quick movement, for example, ‘Give yourself a lash we’re late’ or ‘Lash that in the bin’.
It can also be used to describe someone you find attractive, for example, ‘She’s a lash’.
Ah, here!
‘Ah, here’ is generally used when you’re outraged about something or if you’re loosing patience, for example, ‘Ah, here – I’m sick of your bad language’.
Or, for example, if you were witnessing a fight, ‘Ah, here – leave it out’.
G’way!
‘G’way’ is one of the less common Irish slang words and it’s used as a way of saying ‘No way/you’re joking/you’re kidding’.
For example, ‘Did you hear I won the lotto?’ G’way?! Are you serious?’.
Sucking diesel
The phrase ‘Sucking diesel’ is used to describe a situation that’s moved from less favourable to favourable.
For example, if a person is in a car that won’t start and eventually it does, ‘Now we’re sucking diesel’ would be appropriate.
Sorry?
In most languages, ‘Sorry’ is used for apologising to someone. In Ireland, ‘Sorry?’ is one of several Irish expressions that doesn’t follow conventional use of the English language.
‘Sorry?’ is used as a reply, usually to a question or a statement that has angered you. For example, ‘If you do that again you’ll get a slap’ ‘Sorry? Say that again!’.
He/she is your only man/woman!
If you hear someone saying ‘Ah, he’s your only man’, the person saying it is usually recommending that person for a particular task/situation.
For example, ‘I need someone to give say an Irish blessing at the wedding’ ‘Ah, Tom’s your only many for that kind of thing’.
Up to 90
‘Up to 90’ means flat out busy doing something. You’ll often hear this one used in response to questions like ‘How was work today?’.
The response would then be ‘Ah, sure I’ve been up to 90 since half 7’.
Leg it
‘Leg it’ is Irish slang for ‘Run’. For example, ‘The security guard is after us – leg it’.
Donkeys years
‘Donkeys years’ is used to describe a long period of time that has passed.
For example, ‘Ah, Ollie – it’s great to see you, I haven’t see you around in donkeys years’.
Fair play
‘Fair play’ is generally used as a response to something that you find favourable or to a good deed.
For example, ‘I’m collecting money for charity’ ‘Ah, fair play’.
Fair play to ya!
Stall the ball
If you ask someone to ‘Stall the ball’ you’re asking them to hang on/wait.
For example, ‘Here, stall the ball – I’ll be ready in 10’.
Gas
‘Gas’ is Irish slang for funny. You’ll hear a situation being described as ‘Gas’, for example, ‘Last night was gas craic’.
You’ll also hear someone deemed to be funny as ‘Gas’, for example, ‘He’s a gas man’.
Jammy
Another of the more confusing Irish sayings, ‘Jammy’ is used to describe someone as lucky/flukey.
For example, ‘You won the game again?! You’re a jammy hoor’.
Lob the gob
‘Lob the gob’ is another of the Irish phrases that’s used to describe kissing someone.
For example, ‘He’s in trouble today – wasn’t he seen lobbing the gob on some wan last night’.
What’s the craic/story?
Arguably the most common Irish slang words for greeting someone, ‘What’s the craic/story?’ means ‘How are you/any news/what’s going on?’.
For example, ‘Shay – what’s the craic? I haven’t see you in ages?’.
How’s she cutting?
One of several Irish phrases that stems from farming, ‘How’s she cutting?’ is now used in the same way that you’d use ‘What’s the story?’, however, it wasn’t always that way.
Back in the day, you’d usually ask someone ‘How’s she cutting’ during the harvest season to enquire about the the conditions for crop cutting.
Well
‘Well’ tends to come before one of the other Irish terms that we use for greeting someone.
For example, ‘Well, how are you getting on?’. It doesn’t really mean anything, but it’s used frequently.
Hows-a-going?
Nothing too surprising with this one – it’s simply ‘How is it going?’ but it generally comes out as ‘Howsagoin?.
For example, ‘Tara – howsagoin? Haven’t seen you about in ages!’.
Story horse?!
This is a bit of Dublin slang that’s used to greet someone and it roughly means ‘How’s it going/how are you?’.
Like plenty of the Irish slang words in this guide, there’s no clear indication as to where this originated.
How ya getting on/How’s the form?!
‘Well, how ya gettin on/how’s the form?’ are more Irish sayings that simply mean ‘How are you/things?’.
You’ll often hear ‘Well’ stuck in front of it.
Bout Ye?
‘Bout ye?’ are some common Northern Irish slang words that mean ‘How are you?’.
For example, ‘Bout ye, chief! Fancy a pint?’.
Flutered
Short and sweet and with no clear indication of origin, ‘Flutered’ is one of the more common Irish terms for drunk.
For example, ‘I was flutered after that last whiskey’.
Locked/legless/banjaxed/buckled/scuttered/Baloobas
‘Locked’ doesn’t have anything to do with ‘Closed’ – it’s a way of describing being very drunk.
For example, ‘You were locked. At one point you announced you were going to give an Irish toast, but you just started singing the Wolfe Tones’.
In a heap/in a hoop
‘In a heap/hoop’ is one of the Irish idioms used to describe being hungover. For example, ‘I’m in a heap – I feel as sick as a plane to Lourdes’.
In rag order/in ribbons
If you were ‘In rag order/ribbons’ you overindulged and you were drunk. It can also be used to describe a hangover.
For example, ‘I should never drink vodka. My heads in ribbons’.
Mouldy/mullered
One of the Irish colloquialisms I’ve only ever heard from a group of friends from Louth, this also means you were very drunk.
For example, ‘I had 2 bottles of wine. It’s no wonder I was mouldy”.
Out of your tree/off your head
Potentially one that’s part of Dublin slang, ‘Out of your tree’ is a colourful way of saying you were more than merry.
For example, ‘I was so out of my tree I tried cooking chicken in the toaster’.
Hammered
Another of the Irish expressions with no clear origin, ‘Hammered’ also means very drunk.
For example, ‘I called him a what? Ah, damn – I must have been hammered’.
Shook
One of several funny Irish sayings used to describe a hangover, you’ll often hear someone say ‘I’m as shook as a hand at mass’.
Savage
One of the more common Irish terms for good is to describe something as ‘Savage’.
For example, ‘That chicken fillet roll was savage’.
Bang on
You’ll hear good situations and people being called ‘Bang on’.
For example, ‘The new guy that started is bang on’.
Class
‘Class’ can be applied to people, places or things.
For example, ‘Ah, that movie was class’.
Unreal
‘Unreal’ can be used as a response to something you deem good or it can be used to describe something you think is great.
For example, ‘You passed the exam?! That’s unreal!’.
Cracking
‘Cracking’ is another of the Irish expressions used to describe something as ‘Brilliant’.
For example, ‘That’s a cracking day out there today’.
Dead on
The only people that I know who use ‘Dead on’ are from county Antrim. It’s describes a person or thing you think is great.
For example, ‘Maria’s fella is dead on, so he is’.
Sound
You can use ‘Sound’ as a way of saying ‘Thanks’. For example, ‘Sound for collecting me – I would have had to walk otherwise’.
Quality
If something is ‘Quality’, it’s very good. For example, ‘That new show with Brendan Gleeson is quality’.
Rapid
Arguably one that’s mainly part of Dublin slang, rapid doesn’t describe fast movement – it describes something you think is ‘Deadly’.
For example, ‘I got a new tracksuit last week. It’s rapid looking!’.
Whopper
Amazing
Great
Incredible
If you’re describing something as ‘Whopper’ you’re describing it as ‘Amazing/great/incredible’.
For example, ‘This Dublin slang guide would be whopper without those damn ads!’.
Delirah
‘Delirah’ isn’t really Dublin slang, it’s more how the word ‘Delighted’ sounds with a heavy Dublin accent.
For example, ‘Ah, I’m delirah for the pair of ye’.
Mot
‘Mot’ is generally a way of referring to the girl/woman that you are in a relationship with. You will, at times, hear people use it as Irish slang for girl or woman.
For example, ‘I’m taking me mot to the pictures’.
The pictures
The pictures is another chunk of Dublin slang for ‘The cinema’.
For example, ‘I’m taking me misses to the pictures’.
Janey Mack
‘Janey Mack’ is one of the more famous Irish idioms and it appeared in the book ‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce.
It is used as an alternative to being blasphemous and taking the Lord’s name in vein.
Scarlet
‘Scarlet’ is Dublin slang for ‘Embarrassed’ and it’s used in a couple of ways. The first is as a response to someone telling you about an embarassing situation, for example, ‘Ah, scarlet for your ma for having ye’.
The second is to describe yourself as being embarrassed, for example, ‘I fell over leaving the shop – I was scarlet’.
Bogger
Now, I’m not sure if this is exclusively Dublin slang, but I’ve never heard anyone from outside of Dublin using it.
A ‘Bogger’ is used to describe someone from rural Ireland, usually one who lives near a bog.
Get up outta that
Another of the more unusual Irish sayings, ‘Get up outta that’ is used as a response to a statement that you don’t believe, for example, ‘I’m going on a date with an actress’ ‘Ha, get up out of that – you are in your hole’.
It can also be used in a situation where you’re trying to get some to stop doing something/move, for example, ‘Get up out of that you little scrote – I saw you trying to steal those bikes’.
Get outta that garden
Similar to the previous bit of Dublin slang, this is used when you don’t believe someone or when you’re trying to get someone to stop doing something.
Brutal
‘Brutal’ has several different meanings. For example, it can be used to describe feeling bad, ‘I ate his lunch – I feel brutal about it’.
Or it can be used to describe a bad act, for example, ‘They lost – they played brutal’.
Bake
‘Bake’ is slang for your face. For example, ‘Shut your bake, you clown’.
Beamer
Another of the Irish sayings used to describe being embarrassed is ‘Beamer’.
For example, ‘It was definitely Colin. Look at him pulling a beamer’.
It’s a soft day
One of the more confusing Irish idioms, if you describe a day as ‘Soft’ you’re saying that it’s misty with light rain.
For example, ‘It’s a lovely soft day – make sure you bring a brolly!’.
It’s a good day for drying
‘A good day for drying’ is used to describe a nice dry day. ‘Drying’ refers to drying wet clothes outside.
For example, ‘Finally, after all that poxy weather, we’ve a good day for drying’.
It’s fierce mild out there
You’ll often hear people describe a fine, warm day as ‘Fierce mild’.
For example, ‘I’m sweating – it’s fierce mild out there now’.
It’s lashing/p*ssing down/out
One of the more common Irish terms for heavy rain is to describe it as ‘P*ssing/lashing/pouring/piddling down’.
For example, ‘It’s been piddling down all morning – the place is flooded’.
It’s spitting
If there’s light rain falling, it’s known as ‘Spitting’.
You’ll hear people saying ‘It’s spitting out’ or ‘It’s spitting rain’.
The sun is splitting the stones
One of the more common Irish expressions for a sunny day is ‘The sun is splitting the stones’.
You’ll often here ‘Stones’ substituted out for ‘Rocks’, too.
It’s a day for the fire
This one is used when the weather is cold and wintery and it paints a picture of a beautiful turf fire crackling away.
For example, ‘By God it’s cold out there – it’s a day for the fire!‘.
It’s wetter than an otters pocket
There are multiple variations of this, each of which refer to it begin very wet outside.
For example, ‘That’s some rain – it’s wetter than an otters/penguins/Michael Phelps’s pocket’.
Bogging
‘Bogging’ is used to describe something as ‘Dirty’. For example, ‘The smell off those runners. Your feet must be bogging’.
Dander
If you’re going for a ‘Dander’, you’re going for a ‘Walk’, usually at an easy pace.
For example, ‘C’mon. Let’s get out for a dander and get some fresh air’.
Peeler
One of the stranger Irish sayings, a ‘Peeler’ is a word given to a member of the police.
For example, ‘Sh*te, put the cans away. There are two peelers coming up the road there’.
Houl yer whisht
‘Houl yer whisht’ is Irish slang for ‘Be quiet’.
For example, ‘Hey – houl yer whisht in there. I can’t hear the radio!’.
Ogeous handling
Another of the more unusual Irish sayings, ‘Ogeous handling’ is used to describe a ‘Tricky situation’.
For example, ‘Remember the time Micky got caught moving the cow in the back of his Ford Focus?’ ‘Oh, I do. It was some ogeous handling’.
Up to high doh
If you describe someone as being ‘Up to high doh’ you’re saying that they’re ‘Excited’.
For example, ‘He had a bag of skittles and three bottles of Coke an hour ago – he’s been up to high doh ever since’.
