12 Best And Authentic Irish Slang and Sayings
Ireland is a beautiful and captivating country with much to share with the world. From its wild coastlines to its vibrant cultural heritage, the Emerald Isle is rich in history and has an energy all its own.
This St. Patrick’s Day, we thought we’d look into finding some authentic Irish slang for you to share. So, step right up, don’t be shy, and give these Irish words a try!
1. “What about ya?” - a greeting or way of saying hello, meaning: “How are you?”
2. “Great craic!” - meaning a good time with lots of laughs, ‘craic’ being a flexible word that can be applied to any time of frivolity and fun.
3. “Eegit!” - “Idiot, fool.”
4. “Gobshite!” - “stupid, undesirable person.”
5. “Lie in.” - meaning to sleep in or have a relaxing time.
6. “Afters.” - “dessert.”
7. “Half-seven.” - “7:30.” ‘Half’ can be used to communicate any half hour point in time (ex. “half-one” = “1:30”).
8. “I’m knackered!” - “I’m tired, exhausted.”
9. “Norn Iron.” - “Northern Ireland.”
10. “Fair play!” - a way of expressing approval or communicating a job well done.
11. “Grand.” - frequently used to express that something/someone is good, great, fine, etc.
12. “On the rip.” - out for a night on the town / to the pub.
