Hi everyone. Greetings from a very sunny spring-like Dublin. So last week I shared my week-long Irish road trip blog to give you some travel ideas if you’re planning a trip to Ireland this year. If you do find yourself in the Emerald Isle, chances are you’ll find yourself in an Irish pub. Irish people have a unique relationship with the English language so while there you may hear some common Irish sayings and wonder what on earth people are talking about! So here’s a list of some of the most commonly used Irish sayings, Irish slang words and their meanings!
Common Irish Phrases
- 1. Your “oul fella” and your “oul wan” These terms refer to your father and your mother respectively
2. “Sleeven” A sleeven is a sly or underhanded person - 3. Fluthered
Very very drunk! - 4. Happy Out
Content in your current surroundings - 5. Awful good
In Ireland awful can also mean very as in “the weather was awful good” - 6. Quare
Derived from the word queer, also another word for very - 7. Donkeys Years
Refers to an awful lot of years ! - 8. Any Use?
Was it good? - 9. The Jacks
The bathroom - 10. Arseways
If something is done the wrong way it’s done arseways - 11. Go way outta that
An expression of disbelief or refusal - 12 A whale of a time
A really good time - 13 “Sure look it”
Commonly used and fits in after any sentence meaning we’ll carry on or get on with things - 14 “Sure Listen”
Similar to the above while not actually meaning”listen to me”
- 15 “Ara”
Common in rural Ireland. It fits before your name if they don’t believe you, are disappointed, surprised and just about any other feeling - 16. Its grand
Its fine - 17. The craic was 90
The fun and atmosphere was excellent - 18. I will yeah
Said when the person has no intention on doing what you just asked them to do - 19. A bag of tayto
A packet of crisps - 20. I’m knackered
You’re exhausted, very tired - 21. Great drying out
The weather is nice and it’s great day to dry the clothes on a washing line - 22. Feck off
A less offensive version of F*** off - 23. Will you have a mineral?
Will you have a soft drink? - 24 I’m going on the gargle/piss/batter
Your going out for a drink, and you may not return for days
So there you have it. Memorize the above Irish sayings and you’ll fit right in!
Why not shop our exciting collection of Irish Sweaters, Irish Jewelry and Irish Homewares at The Irish Store? And, don’t forget to use BLOG10 at the checkout to get a 10% discount!
See you next week
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
27 comments
“Will a dale”. Meaning will not , but where does it come from, does anyone know?
Hi Helen,
Many thanks for your comment but I’m sorry to say I’ve never heard that expression! I hope you find the origin.
Happy New Year,
Lulu and everyone at The Irish Store
Have you been to the pub named John J. Burke and Son…I believe it’s in Galway?
Hi Janis,
I’ve never been but I’ve certainly heard of it. All the reports I hear are excellent.
Thanks for reading!
Kind Regards,
Lulu
Helen, sure listen!! any use?
Take a look at my book called the Hemingway’s retreat. It came out in 2019. It takes place in Ireland, circa 1961.
Thanks for the recommendation Mick-I look forward to reading it.
Kind regards,
Lulu
This is awesome. Now I get to confuse everyone. Thank you!
You’re welcome Mira. Glad to be of help!
Thanks for reading,
Kind regards,
Lulu.
Ye will yeah!
20 A bag of tayto
A packet of crisps
let me clear this up, Taytos are a chip brand
I know this, because I’m Irish
Hi Nina,
Yes that’s right. Tayto is a chip brand. They are Ireland’s favorite potato chip-especially the cheese and onion flavor!
Thanks for reading,
Take care,
Lulu.
Tayto are a brand of crisps actually! 🥴
I can’t stop thinking about ‘ Normal People’. Like many other fans it is my favorite show this year. Please, give us a season two. I don’t think I have ever been as captivated by two characters as by Connell and Marianne.
I do have one question. What is the meaning of ‘GRINDS’ ?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you,
Jane
Hi Jane,
I agree with you about Normal People. I loved it too and would love a season two!
“Grinds” are private one to one tutorials that students take coming up to exams. Some parents arrange these for their children in the last year of high school in preparation for their Leaving Cert before they go to university.
Thanks for reading!
Kind regards,
Lulu
This is very funny–gave me a few good laughs, especially, “I will yeah”! I wonder if you’d do a bit on Irish time-keeping, as in budgeting 45 minutes for a “15-minute walk”, or how long “I’ll be right over” could take. Cheers!
Hi Hugh,
So glad it gave you a laugh. Thanks for reading!
Kind regards,
Lulu.
Love this! We’re binge watching Red Rock and we’re just fascinated with the sayings. What is “I could sleep for Ireland?”
Hi Ed,
“I could sleep for Ireland” is another way of saying you are VERY tired and could sleep for a very long time!
Thanks for reading. Good choice with Red Rock!
Kind regards,
Lulu.
HI – I/she/he could sleep/talk/walk/drink etc. for Ireland essentially means if sleeping or talking (any verb) was a sporting event you’d be so good at it you could represent the country. I could sleep for Ireland generally means you’re knackered, whereas talk for Ireland is usually negatively said about someone else who talks far too much
6. Quare. I always heard it used as : strange, unusual, odd, weird.
Which is the same as queer, before the word got attached to a sexuality preference.
Never hear the saying ‘there’s nothing as queer as folk? As in people are weird.
My grandparents came from County cork in 1912 ,settled in Canada. They raised me and I grew up in a very loving Irish home. St. paddy day is a big day for us. So I’ll say Erin go bragh god bless you
Hi Mary.
Go raibh maith agat! I hope you had a great St. Patrick’s Day!
Kind regards,
Lulu.
I love cheese and onion Taytos, I get them here in Australia
What does “I have a baby’s head to wet” mean😍?
Hi Sam,
To “wet a baby’s head” refers to celebrating the birth of a baby with an alcoholic drink or two!
Kind regards,
Lulu.