{"id":5085,"date":"2024-10-23T06:56:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T05:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.insightvacations.com\/?p=5085"},"modified":"2025-08-01T11:28:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T10:28:21","slug":"irish-slang-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insightvacations.com\/blog\/irish-slang-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Irish Slang Phrases to Get You Talking the Local Lingo in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Famous for its alluring coastlines, rugged wilderness and legendary folktales, Ireland’s<\/a> backdrop, culture and history were made for grand storybooks.<\/p>\n

Make the most of your visit to this poetic paradise by picking up a few Irish slang <\/span>phrases before a trip there.<\/p>\n

From ordering a Guinness to toasting your travels, here are twenty Irish slang phrases<\/span> to get you chatting like a local – we’ll leave the accent up to you to figure out.<\/p>\n

1) Pint of gat<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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In Dublin, there is a pub for every 100 people. So if you want to get the local lingo down it’s good to start at being able to order a Guinness, Ireland’s staple alcoholic drink. A “pint of gat” literally translates to a pint of Guinness, so impress the Dubliners while you’re at the pub by ordering a drink like a true local.<\/p>\n\n

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2) Sl\u00e1inte!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once you’ve got your Guinness, it’s time to say cheers! Or rather, sl\u00e1inte. Pronounced “slaan-sha,” sl\u00e1inte translates to health, and you’re sure to make new friends if you know how to toast a drink in the local Irish lingo.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Bleedin<\/strong>‘<\/h2>\n

You’ll hear this thrown around a lot, but don’t worry – no-one’s hurt. Bleedin’ is one of the most common Irish phrases, and is just an intensifier. If you’re saying it’s cold outside, you might say it’s ‘bleedin’ cold’ to really emphasize your point.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4) Banjaxed<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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“Banjaxed” is a popular Irish slang term that means something is broken, ruined, or completely worn out. If you\u2019re visiting Ireland and hear a local say, \u201cThat\u2019s banjaxed!\u201d they\u2019re likely referring to something that\u2019s beyond repair, like a car that won\u2019t start or an item that\u2019s been damaged. It can also be used more lightheartedly to describe feeling exhausted, like after a long hike. If you say you’re banjaxed, it means you’re completely worn out.<\/p>\n\n

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5) What’s the craic?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Surely one of the most iconic Irish slang phrases, the ‘craic’ can mean a lot of things, depending on the context. It can mean ‘gossip’, ‘good time’, ‘fun’, ‘news’, and more. Pronounced “crack,” i<\/span>f you’re greeted with “what’s the craic” in Ireland, you’re being asked “how are you?” or “what’s happening?”. That person is just greeting you – or asking what the latest gossip is if they’re referring to something specific. If someone is described as ‘Good craic’, it means they’re good company, good to be around, they know how to have fun. If you say ‘last night was great craic’, you’re saying you had a great time last night.<\/p>\n

6) Meeting \/ shifting<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In Ireland, the term “meeting” or “shifting” is commonly used in casual slang to refer to kissing, usually in the context of a party or social event. If you hear someone say, \u201cThey were shifting at the pub last night,\u201d it means they were kissing. It’s typically used in a lighthearted or playful way, especially among younger people.<\/p>\n

\"couple<\/p>\n

7) Dose<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Wrap up when you head to Ireland to avoid catching a cold. If you do, you might hear one of the most common Irish slang phrases (given the weather) “that dose is goin’ round,” which means everyone else has the same illness or “it’s going around.” If someone has a bad dose, it means they’ve gotten quite sick. Interestingly, you can also call someone a ‘dose’ which either means someone’s a bit slow, very annoying, or hard to deal with – depending on what region you’re in.<\/p>\n\n

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8) T\u00f3g go bog \u00e9<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"black<\/a><\/p>\n

In Ireland, slang words range from colorful twists on the English language to borrowing words from Irish Gaelic, which has its own medieval alphabet. Pronounced Togue guh bug ay, this phrase is one of the latter and means to take it easy or to “chill out”. Seeing as you’ll be on vacation in Ireland, you’ll want to learn this useful Irish phrase to tell your friends back home what you’re up to.<\/p>\n

9) Giving out<\/strong><\/p>\n

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In Irish slang, “giving out” means to scold, complain, or criticize someone. If a local says, \u201cShe\u2019s giving out about the weather,\u201d it means she\u2019s complaining or grumbling about it. It can also refer to someone being told off, like \u201cThe boss was giving out to him for being late.\u201d\u00a0 It comes from a direct translation of the same expression in Irish “tabhair amach”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10) Acting the maggot<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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“Acting the maggot” is a funny Irish saying that means someone is misbehaving or fooling around in a playful, mischievous way. If you hear an Irish person say, \u201cHe\u2019s acting the maggot,\u201d it\u2019s often lighthearted, referring to someone being silly or causing a bit of harmless trouble. Picture a wriggling, squirming maggot, and metaphorically think of people who are being mischievous, fidgety, or causing playful trouble.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

11) Suckin diesel<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The phrase “suckin diesel” is another one of those poetically descriptive Irish expressions, and it means things are going well or progressing smoothly, often after a slow start. Its origin comes from the farming and machinery world, and related to how hard it used to be to restart a diesel motor once it was out of fuel. When it was finally “sucking diesel,” it was running at full power. In everyday Irish slang, the phrase is used to express that something has finally gained momentum, like a project or task, and is now moving along successfully. You can also say you’re suckin diesel to say that your day is going well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

12) Grand Stretch in the evenings<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\"sheepThe phrase “grand stretch in the evenings” is a charming Irish saying that refers to the noticeable lengthening of daylight during the spring and summer months. As the days get longer, especially after a long winter, Irish people might say, “There’s a grand stretch in the evenings,” highlighting the uplifting feeling of more sunshine with which to enjoy the day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

13) Stall the ball<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The phrase “stall the ball” means to delay or slow things down, often in a social context. It suggests putting a pause on a conversation or situation, usually to avoid a serious topic or to buy time. The expression likely originates from sports, particularly Gaelic games, where players might deliberately hold onto the ball to prevent the opposing team from scoring or gaining an advantage. Interestingly though, in Dublin it’s used as a verb to mean ‘come over’. ‘Stall it over here’ means ‘bring it over’.<\/p>\n\n

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14) Deadly<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In Irish slang, the word “deadly” is used to describe something that is excellent, impressive, or really cool. For instance, if someone says, \u201cThat concert was deadly!\u201d they mean it was fantastic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

15) The Jacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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In Irish slang, “the jacks” refers to the bathroom or toilet. For example, if someone says, \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a minute; I just need to go to the jacks,\u201d they simply mean they\u2019re heading to the restroom. Some say it\u00a0comes from the English term the John, <\/em>or it could refer to the inventor of the first multi-stall toilet, Jack Power. In any case, it’s a useful phrase to know when visiting and going out to the pub.<\/p>\n

\"traditional<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

16) Up to ninety<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The phrase “up to ninety” is a common Irish phrase that means someone is very busy, agitated, or stressed out. When locals say, \u201cI\u2019m up to ninety with work,\u201d they\u2019re saying that they have a lot on their plate and are feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

17) Cop on<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The phrase “cop on” is a popular Irish saying that means to become aware or to smarten up, often used when someone needs to take a reality check. For example, if a friend says, “You need to cop on and start studying,” they\u2019re suggesting that the person should recognize the importance of their situation and act accordingly. The term originates from the verb “to cop,” meaning to understand or realize something.<\/p>\n\n

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18) Sure look<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The phrase “sure look” is a classic saying lots of Irish people use to express resignation, acceptance, or a laid-back attitude towards a situation. It’s typically followed by a statement that acknowledges the reality of a circumstance, such as, \u201cSure look, it\u2019s raining again,\u201d meaning that while the weather is disappointing, there’s not much to be done about it.<\/p>\n

\"woman<\/p>\n

19) Mad Yoke<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The phrase “mad yoke” is a quirky Irish expression used to describe something that is wild, crazy, or unusual. “Yoke” in this context refers to an person or thing, and when paired with “mad,” it means the object in question is surprising or unusual. For instance, if someone says, \u201cDid you see that mad yoke over there?\u201d they\u2019re likely pointing out something odd or striking. Or you can call someone a mad yoke, meaning they’re being silly.<\/p>\n

20) Sound<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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“Sound” is an adjective that typically means “nice” or “kind.” If someone is described as being “sound,” it means they\u2019re a decent person. It can also be used as a casual response to express appreciation, similar to saying “thanks.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What do Irish people say when they\u2019re happy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are a few phrases we’ve already mentioned that Irish people use to say they’re happy, or satisfied with something – plus a few extra:<\/p>\n