Need to Brush Up on Your Irish Slang? Here are the Top 101 Most-Used Irish Slang Phrases.
When you arrive in Ireland, you may be forgiven for thinking the English spoken here is a completely different language!
While the English language prevailed across Ireland throughout the 19th century, the Irish developed plenty of slang phrases to make the language their own.
Indeed, since the dawn of time, the Irish have managed to invent our very own slang words and expressions to unleash on all unfamiliar with the lingo!
In this article, we highlight the most commonly heard Irish idioms and words, their meanings, and examples of how they are used in everyday speech. You will be talking like a seasoned pro in no time!
Ireland Before You Die’s Fun Facts About Irish Slang:
- Lots of Irish slang words have been borrowed from the Irish language – for example, craic.
- Ireland has various dialects and slang words also differ throughout the country. For example, Dublin slang is completely different from Cork slang.
- Pronunciations vary widely, making words like “craic” (fun) sound like “crack,” which can make it hard for visitors to understand locals.
- Thanks to iconic Irish TV shows like Father Ted and Derry Girls, hilarious Irish slang continues to spread around the world.
- Irish slang massively reflects the humour of Irish people – fun, witty, and very sarcastic!
Everyday language In Ireland: Top 101 Irish Slang Words and Phrases
1. Acting the maggot
Meaning: Fooling and messing around.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Stop acting the maggot and concentrate on your homework!”
2. Arseways
Meaning: Mixed up, backwards, or wrong.
Usage Area: South of the border.
Example: “You’ve got it all arseways.”
3. Bad dose
Meaning: Severe illness.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “You got a bad dose of it, didn’t you?”
4. Bags
Meaning: To make a mess of doing something.
Usage Area: Dublin and surrounding areas.
Example: “He made a right bags of that.”
5. Bang on
Meaning: Right, accurate, correct.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “You are bang on.”
6. Banjaxed
Meaning: Broken or not working properly.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “The chair is banjaxed.”
7. Banter
Meaning: Playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We had great banter at the pub last night.”
8. Black stuff
Meaning: Guinness.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “A pint of the black stuff, please.”
9. Bleedin’ ride
Meaning: Good looking person.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “See your man over there? He’s a bleedin’ ride, isn’t he?”
10. Boggin’
Meaning: Dirty or disgusting.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “That place was boggin’ after the rain.”
11. Boyo
Meaning: Male (juvenile).
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Come on, you boyo!”
12. Bout ye!
Meaning: How are you?
Usage Area: Belfast.
Example: “Bout ye? How’s things?”
13. Brutal
Meaning: Awful, dreadful.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “It was a brutal tackle.”
14. Bucketing down
Meaning: Raining heavily.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “It is bucketing down.”
15. Bunk off
Meaning: Skip (school or work).
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Do you want to bunk off tomorrow?”
16. Chancer
Meaning: Someone who takes a risk.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He is a real chancer.”
17. Chiseler
Meaning: Young child (Dublin slang).
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “He was a chiseler at the time.”
READ ALSO: Dublin Slang Phrases
18. Ciotóg
Meaning: Left-handed.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I am a Ciotóg and proud.”
19. Cod/codding ya
Meaning: To tease or joke with someone (pull someone’s leg).
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I am only codding ya!”
20. Craic
Meaning: Fun, gossip, goings-on.
Usage Area: All of Ireland and popular with the Irish diaspora worldwide.
Example: “What’s the craic?”
21. Crack on
Meaning: Continue on, get going.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I must crack on, lots to do.”
22. Culchie
Meaning: Irish person from rural/agricultural area of Ireland.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “She is a culchie originally.”
23. Cute hoor
Meaning: A person who quietly engineers things to their own advantage.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He is a real cute hoor.”
24. C’mere til I tell ya
Meaning: Precedes a statement to indicate more information.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “C’mere til I tell ya, did you hear your one Suzanne is getting fired?”
25. Deadly
Meaning: Brilliant, fantastic, great.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “That was a deadly film.”
26. Delira
Meaning: Delighted
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Are you delira about it?”
27. Donkey’s years
Meaning: For a very long time.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “They have lived there donkey’s years.”
28. Dosser
Meaning: Someone not working or messing about.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “They are a couple of dossers.”
29. Eat the head off
Meaning: To give out to someone.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Don’t eat the head off me.”
30. Eejit
Meaning: Complete fool, doing something silly.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “You are such an eejit.”
31. Earwigging
Meaning: Listening in on a private conversation.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “You were earwigging again, yes?”
32. Effin’ and blindin’
Meaning: Swearing and cursing.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He was effin’ and blindin’ nonstop.”
33. Eff off
Meaning: Polite swear word (for the F word). Also used as an exclamation of disbelief.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Ah, just eff off, will ya.”
34. Fair play!
Meaning: Well done!
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Fair play, mate!”
35. Feck Off
Meaning: Go away (polite version), used to show surprise or shock.
Usage Area: South of the border.
Example: “Feck off… don’t be bothering me.”
36. Fella
Meaning: Used for your guy, as in ‘me fella’; partner/husband/boyfriend.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Is your fella going to be there?”
37. Fierce
Meaning: Very good, great, excellent.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “It was a fierce performance.”
38. Fine thing
Meaning: Good-looking man or woman.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “That guy is a fine thing.”
39. Floozie
Meaning: Woman of dubious moral attributes.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “The place is full of floozies.”
40. Fluthered
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I was absolutely fluthered last night.”
41. Gaff
Meaning: Home; to have a ‘free gaff’ means you are home alone.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “I will pop over to your gaff later.”
42. Gammy
Meaning: Crooked, or odd-looking.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He had a gammy leg.”
43. Gander
Meaning: Quick glance.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Take a quick gander in here first.”
44. Gas
Meaning: Funny or amusing.
Usage Area: South of the border.
Example: “He is a gas man.”
45. Gaelic
Meaning: Refers to the Irish language. It can also refer to Gaelic football (sport).
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Many Irish slang words come from Irish Gaelic” or “Are you still playing Gaelic?”
46. Gerrup Outta That
Meaning: Expression of disbelief or dismissal.
Usage Area: Kidare.
Example: “Gerrup outta that, you’re joking!”
47. Get outta that garden!
Meaning: Fun phrase used in a conversation to get a laugh or reaction.
Usage Area: Navan.
Example: “Wud ya get outta that garden!!!”
48. Giz’ a shot of that
Meaning: Can I have/use whatever you are holding/using?
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “C’mere, giz’ a shot of your burger there, will ye?”
49. Grand
Meaning: Many uses; most often used as a reply to ‘How are you?’, ‘How are you feeling?’, or being told of a decision.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We will meet you there – ‘Grand’.”
50. Hallion
Meaning: A rascal or mischievous person.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “He’s a wee hallion, always up to something.”
51. Holy Joe
Meaning: Self-righteous or religious person.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “She is a bit of a holy joe actually.”
52. Holy show
Meaning: Disgraceful scene.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “She made a holy show of herself.”
53. How’s she cuttin’?
Meaning: Hi; How are you?; What’s news?
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “How’s she cuttin’?”
54. Howya
Meaning: Hi, hello.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Howya doin’?”
55. Jackeen
Meaning: A rural person’s name for a Dubliner.
Usage Area: Rural Ireland.
Example: “You are a jackeen… my sympathies!”
56. Jacks
Meaning: Toilet.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I’m off to the jacks!”
57. Jaysus
Meaning: Exclamation of surprise or emphasis.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Jaysus, it’s freezing today!”
58. Jesus, Mary, Joseph
Meaning: Expression of surprise or shock.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what happened here?”
59. Jo maxi
Meaning: Taxi, cab.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “We can get a jo maxi in later.”
60. Kip
Meaning: A dump of a place and also a sleep.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “I had a quick kip before dinner; it was a real kip of a hotel!”
61. Knackered
Meaning: Exhausted, tired.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I was completely knackered.”
62. Langers
Meaning: Drunk.
Usage Area: Cork and the surrounding areas.
Example: “She was totally langers last Friday.”
63. Lash
Meaning: Referring to bad weather, specifically to rain hard, to make an attempt at something, or to go out drinking.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “It was lashing out of the heavens. Give it a lash. Let’s go on the lash Saturday.”
64. Leg it
Meaning: Run away quickly.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Come on, we need to leg it now!”
65. Locked
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He was totally locked at closing time.”
66. Manky
Meaning: Dirty, filthy, disgusting.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “My hair feels manky, it needs a wash.”
67. Melter
Meaning: Someone who is annoying or a nuisance.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “Stop being such a melter!”
READ ALSO: Belfast Slang Phrases
68. Minerals
Meaning: Soft drinks.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Pick up some minerals at the shop.”
69. Moran
Meaning: A derogatory term meaning fool.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He looks a right moran.”
70. Mortified
Meaning: Highly embarrassed.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I was mortified when I realised my mistake.”
71. Mot
Meaning: Irish term for a girlfriend.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Where’s your mot tonight?”
72. Mouldy
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He was absolutely mouldy after the party.”
73. Murder
Meaning: Very difficult or to really want to do something.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I had such a long day. I could murder a Guinness!”
74. Nixer
Meaning: Job done for cash to avoid tax.
Usage Area: Dublin and the surrounding areas.
Example: “He can do it as a nixer for you.”
75. Not the full shilling
Meaning: Not fully sane or lacks intelligence.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I don’t think he is the full shilling.”
76. On the tear
Meaning: Going drinking.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We were on the tear last night.”
77. Ossified
Meaning: Drunk.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We got ossified.”
78. Oul fella
Meaning: An affectionate term for your father, dad (Dublin slang).
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “My oul fella is out at the moment.”
79. Oul Dear / Oul Wan
Meaning: Your mother, mom.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “My oul dear is out shopping.”
80. Pictures
Meaning: Movies, film.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We went to the pictures a week ago.”
81. Piss / Pissed
Meaning: To be very drunk or to tease someone
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example 1: “I was really pissed last night in the pub!”
Example 2 (to tease): “He was taking the piss out of everyone.”
82. Puss (To have a puss on you)
Meaning: Sulky face.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Take that puss off your face.”
83. Rugger Bugger
Meaning: Someone posh, loud and loves rugby.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “He is a rugger bugger for sure.”
84. Savage
Meaning: Great, brilliant.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “It was a savage contest till the end.”
85. Scarlet
Meaning: Very embarrassed.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I was scarlet.”
86. Scundered
Meaning: Embarrassed or ashamed.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “I was scundered after tripping in front of everyone!”
87. Shattered
Meaning: Exhausted.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “After driving, I was shattered.”
88. Slag/Slagging
Meaning: To make fun of someone in a nice way.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He was only slagging you off, don’t worry.”
89. Sláinte
Meaning: Cheers or good health (used when toasting).
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “We raised our glasses and said, ‘Sláinte!'”
90. Sorry
Meaning: Commonly used even when not at fault, often as a polite gesture.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Sorry, can I get in there please?”
91. Steamin’
Meaning: Very drunk.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “He was absolutely steamin’ after the pub.”
92. Story? (What’s the)
Meaning: Hi, what’s happening?
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “What’s the story, Rory?”
93. Suckin’ diesel (Now you’re)
Meaning: Now you’re talking, now you’re doing well.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Now you are suckin’ diesel, my friend!”
94. The Pale
Meaning: Anywhere in the region of Dublin.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “I am living just outside The Pale.”
95. Thick
Meaning: Extremely stupid.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He is as thick as a plank.”
96. Throw shapes
Meaning: Show off, sometimes aggressively and usually when drunk.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “They were all throwing shapes in the pub.”
97. Trinners
Meaning: Trinity College Dublin.
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Did you go to Trinners to do your degree?”
98. Wee dote
Meaning: A term of endearment for a cute or lovely person, often a child.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “That baby is a wee dote.”
99. Wee fella
Meaning: Little boy.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “Look at the wee fella, he’s so cute!”
100. Wind yer neck in
Meaning: Calm down or mind your own business.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “Wind yer neck in and stop causing trouble.”
101. Wreck the gaff
Meaning: To destroy a place (literally), or go mad (figuratively).
Usage Area: Dublin.
Example: “Jaysus, Saturday night was mental, we absolutely wrecked the gaff! You should have seen the state of it the next morning!”
Irish slang just outside the top 101:
Quare
Meaning: Very or extremely.
Usage Area: All of Ireland, especially in Northern Ireland.
Example: “That was a quare good film!”
I will yeah!
Meaning: Used sarcastically to indicate that no intention of doing something.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Are you going to do your homework?” “I will yeah!”
Sauntering
Meaning: Walking in a very slow, relaxed way.
Usage Area: Derry.
Example: “He was just sauntering down the street there!”
READ ALSO: Derry Girls Slang Phrases
Gombeen
Meaning: A shady person.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “He’s a real gombeen, always up to no good!”
Give my head peace!
Meaning: Stop bothering me.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “Away and give my head peace and stop asking so many questions!”
Cracker
Meaning: Fantastic or excellent.
Usage Area: Northern Ireland.
Example: “That present is a real cracker.”
Dirtbird
Meaning: Someone who is messy or dirty!
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Look at the state of him, he’s a right dirtbird!”
Minger
Meaning: Someone very unattractive or unpleasant.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “She’s an absolute minger!”
Poke
Meaning: An ice cream cone, especially one from an ice cream van.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “Can you please get me a 99 poke?”
I’m weak
Meaning: Finding something extremely funny.
Usage Area: All of Ireland.
Example: “I’m weak after hearing that joke!”
FAQs Answered About Irish Slang
Why do the Irish say Feck?
Feck is a less offensive alternative to a well-known wear word.
What do the Irish call a girl?
There are various Irish slang phrases for girl, including lass, bure, or colleen.
What is a very Irish thing to say?
“What’s the craic?” is probably the most common Irish slang greeting in Ireland and it means “what’s happening?” or “How are you?”
What is cool in Irish slang?
“Deadly” or “Savage” are Irish slang terms which mean something is very cool, good or impressive.
What is funny in Irish slang?
“Gas” is an Irish slang term which means something that is very funny or amusing.
How do you insult in Irish?
Some insults from Irish slang are fecker, eejit, gowl, tool, gobshite, among many others. Check out our top Irish insults here.
Further Reading: More Irish Slang Articles
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