Understanding the Irish brogue - a guide to Ireland’s colourful language

How to understand what they're really saying

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I'm sorry? Come again? - understand what the Irish are saying

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The Irish tend to spit out some colorful language - a lot of which can be confusing for your average tourist.

Therefore, we were inspired to put together a guide to slang and terminology commonly used in Ireland.

And by all means, let us know if we're missing anything!

"Arse"

"Arse" is an Irish/English term for, that's right, you've guessed it for "ass."  As well as being an anatomical description, arse is also used as a mild swear word, and as a point of exclamation - as Fr. Jack from the sitcom Fr. Ted, illustrates in this clip.  (But in terms of causing offense, it's certainly not the most serious swear word around.)

You can also use this expression in the sense of, "he's a real pain in the arse," or, "he is a total arse." (In this sense, it's interchangeable with "ass.")

One other important usage of this word, is the expression "arseways," - which basically means, all messed up. For example, "Those directions you gave us were useless - you sent us arseways."

"Bollocks"

This is a very important Irish swear word that has multiple usages. (Another spelling is "bollix.") Literally, bollocks refers to testicles ("bollock" being the singular) - as in, "I kicked him in the bollocks and he started crying like a schoolgirl."

But "bollocks" is also used as a general swear word. In terms of severity, it's not as bad as the f-word, but is best avoided in polite conversation. (Unless of course, it's really warranted - say for example, if someone actually kicks you in the bollocks - then it would be acceptable.) It can also be used as a derogatory expression for a male - being broadly similar to "a**hole." For example, "My boss - he is such a complete bollocks." Or, "Would you ever shut up - you're only an ould bollocks."  "

"Your man" and "Aul wan"

This expression, especially popular with Dubliners, which literally means "one" and "old one" - and usually refers to a woman. "Wan" can also be used to point a girl out.

For example, "Did you see your wan in the red skirt in the pub last night?" "Auld wan" refers to an elderly woman. For example, " Don't mind her - she's only an auld wan."

(For the male version, Irish people would simply use "man" - for example: "Who was your man in the pub last night? He was an awful bollocks.")

"C'mere"

The Irish expression for "come here," used quite frequently in conversation, is used to encourage the person you are speaking to elaborate more. For example, "So c'mere - what happened after you chatted up your wan?"

"You're all right, "You're okay"

"Don't worry about it, it's fine."

"Begorrah"

"Be God" (though no self-respecting Irish person says this in real life). This expression probably died out in Ireland by the 1950s.  It was used as an exclamation.

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