Basics of Irish Slang Terminology

The very Basics of Irish Slang terminology

Irish Slang Donegal is home to a very particular dialect which many of you will not be familiar with. Even native English speakers may be baffled by some of our traditional expressions. expressions. Therefore we have compiled this „handy‟ guide „handy‟ guide so that you will understand that when someone tells tells you your trip is going „to be deadly‟ you deadly‟ you‟‟ll know there‟ there‟s no need to renew your health insurance and how to respond if someone asks you what the „craic‟ is! „craic‟  is! A Wain – Wain – A  A child Acting the maggot – maggot  – Someone  Someone acting in a foolish or silly way An awful dose – dose – An  An annoying person  – Yes,  – Yes, affirmative Cuppa? – Cuppa? – Would  Would you like me to make you a cup of tea? Deadly – Deadly – Rather  Rather ironically means great or fantastic rather than dangerous Give out to someone someone –  – To  To tell someone off - Useful How‟ How‟s she cuttin‟ cuttin‟? – How  – How are you? It was gas – gas – It  It was a lot of fun It‟ It‟s grand – grand – When something is acceptable but not particularly great i.e. “The weather‟s grand” Keep her lit – lit  – Continue  Continue with whatever you are currently doing Made a hames of it – it – To complete a task to a poor standard, i.e. “Jim made a hames of organising the party” The craic was 90 – 90 – It  It was a lot of fun - Small What‟ What‟s the craic? – craic? – How  How are you? Wile – Wile – Very i.e. “that Guinness is wile cold” Yer Man – Man – Any  Any man, necessarily a man you know or are related to i.e – i.e – “look at yer man over there?” Yer Wan – Wan – Same  Same as yer man but about women