In my previous post about 10 Words You Need To Know As An Expat In Ireland, I already featured 10 words and phrases you should know when moving to Ireland. Even though Ireland is a predominantly English-speaking country, it sometimes feels like people here speak a different language due to slang and Irish phrases added into the mix. Have a look below if you feel like a feckin’ eejit when Irish people talk to you!
G’wan
Irish slang for ‘Go on.’. Usually used to express disbelief. I actually find it quite a common thing for Irish people to mash the words together like that (similarly ‘Howaya?’ for ‘How are you?’).
Example: ‘G’wan, one more round.’
Deadly, Savage, Class
All synonyms for excellent or something good in general. Again, the right level of a is important- not too American, not too British.
Example: ‘The concert was deadly.’ or ‘Wow, what a savage move.’ or ‘That’s class!’
How ya getting on? How’s she cutting?
Instead of ‘How is it going?’ or ‘How are you?’ the Irish use ‘How ya getting on?’ or ‘How`s she cutting?’ (the latter being a more country version).
Example: ‘How ya getting on?’ - ‘Ah grand.’
In bits
An Irish slang phrase used to describe something that is in a bad state (especially when you have a hangover).
Example: ‘Jesus, that was a long walk. My legs are in bits.’
Acting the maggot
Phrase for acting up, not behaving or messing around. Can be used for children as well as adults.
Example: ‘Stop acting the maggot and do your homework.’
Thanks a million / mil
Yeah, the Irish swear a lot but at the same time, they are also really friendly. Instead of thanking you a lot, or thanking you very much, they will thank you a million times. It originally comes from the Irish 'go raibh míle maith agat' which literally translates to 'a thousand thanks upon you'. Given that the Irish like to thank everyone all the time (especially the bus drivers), this is an important one to know.
Example: ‘Thanks a mil for picking me up.’
Giving out
Giving out in Irish slang doesn’t mean to physically hand something out, but to complain or to criticise something.
Example: ‘My mum gave out to me because I was late.’
Slagging
‘To slag’ means to make fun of someone, but kind of in a nice way. It is generally a good sign, meaning people are comfortable around you making jokes.
Example: ‘He was only slagging you, don’t worry.’
Feck
A more polite and acceptable version of fuck, which is nothing as hard as fuck (if the Irish every say that, you really pissed them off...). The Irish swear a lot so you can hear this one quite frequently, usually in the same context as fuck, such as ‘feck off’ or ‘feckin’ boring’.
Example: ‘Ah feck, I forgot my wallet.’
Eejit / Gobshite
Those are important for swearing. ‘Eejit’ basically means idiot and is usually prefaced with feckin to release its full insult power. Ideally, elongate the E sound to ‘eeeeeejit’. A gobshite, well, is a gobby shite, someone who is a bit of a thick. Gob means mouth so consequently, someone who is a gob shite is someone who talks shit.
Example: ‘You’re a feckin eejit!’ or ‘He is such a gobshite.’
What are your favorite Irish slang words?
Kate recommends: In Normal People Sally Rooney describes the relationship between the Irish teenagers Connell and Marianne, both attending the same high school and college. While Connell was the popular kid in school and keeps his relationship with Marianne a secret, she blossoms at university, while Connell is starting to struggle for the first time in his life. The story is set after the economic downturn in 2018 and is Rooney’s second novel. After becoming a bestseller,er the novel was adapted into a television adaption. It is ranked to be one of the best books of the 2010s and definitely worth a read!