March 16, 2019

Overseas and Off-Campus Programs Blog

On Irish Slang

Author Name

Thalia Dunbar

Author Program

Ireland: Social Sciences

Program Semester and Year

Spring 2019

Student Major

Psychology

We have been in Ireland for about two months now, but it doesn’t take that long to notice that Ireland is very different from the United States. The people are different, the food is different, and the buildings here have a distinct history that just isn’t the same back home. One of the biggest differences I have notices so far has been in the language. Since coming to Ireland, I have noticed how different the same language can be in different countries. Every country has its own slang, but Irish English is truly a language of its own. I have had whole conversations with Irish people here where I have understood maybe half of the things they’re saying.

Fries = chips (probably the most important thing to know)

Cheers = thanks

Fun = craic or gas

excellent/awesome = deadly

Good = class

It’s going well = routine

To make fun of/tease = take the piss

Guinness = the black stuff

No bother = no bodge (this one BOTHERS me)

Jesus = jaysus

Yaaaaaassssss = yurt (I hate this one too)

Hello, welcome = you are all very welcome here

Being productive = sucking on diesel