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The IrishCentral Irish slang translator

Have you ever had a conversation with an Irish person that was like communicating with someone from a different planet? This might help.

APRIL DREW,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 7:19 AM

Updated Wednesday, June 29, 2011, 12:25 PM

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11 Comments

We thought it was high time to explain some euphemisms often used by new Irish immigrants:

Jacks – Bathroom/toilet

Mot - Girlfriend

Coddin – fooling

Chancer – a person trying his/her luck.

Gombeen - fool

A right head da ball - A bit of a fool

A few sandwiches short of a picnic - not all there in the brain department.

There'll be skin and bones flying - describing a fight or threat to someone.

Bold – naughty (mostly used for children)

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How to understand the Irish brogue

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

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Crator – used as empathy for someone (you poor thing)

No more interested in NAME than the man on the moon – I don’t like NAME.

Losing the run of himself – trying to undertake something that may be impossible.

The cut of him/her – someone is disheveled looking.

Hurler on the ditch - Someone giving advice that they know nothing about.

I’m grand – I’m fine

Craic – Great fun

Kerry for Sam – County Kerry to win the All-Ireland Football Finals and bring home the Sam Maguire cup.

Nster.com

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11 Comments

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Scrivner | Jul 06, 2011, 12:04 PM EDT

"The cut of him," is a seafaring phrase. Refers to the rigging on a sailing vessel, can be either complimentary or not, depends on the tone of your voice.

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mamaginnty | Jul 02, 2011, 10:24 AM EDT

Money.

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vittoriasolsen | Jun 30, 2011, 09:56 PM EDT

So really what is LSD if not acid?

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ellenfromcork | Jun 29, 2011, 07:35 PM EDT

I always thought it was "crathur" as in "ah look at that poor crathur". Meaning look at that poor soul. The word actually being "creature" in English but said w/ a heavy Irish brogue.

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bunkerhill | Jun 29, 2011, 04:04 PM EDT

From my wife's young Irish relatives. "The "craic" was good. I'm sure I didn't spell it right but to an American is sounds like "The crack was good." turning heads and astonishing listeners.

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JBRAFTREE | Jun 29, 2011, 03:33 PM EDT

I remember dad saying, "Look at the cut of him"!!

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padraiginrua | Jun 29, 2011, 02:56 PM EDT

Also codding not coddin

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padraiginrua | Jun 29, 2011, 02:54 PM EDT

Gom was the fool - gombeen man was as Springfield said

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JamesDempsey | Jun 29, 2011, 10:33 AM EDT

A right head the ball means someone is crazy not a fool.

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CitizenWhy | Jun 29, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT

I miss Irish immigrants saying, to the shock of American overhearers, that they did not have enough LSD and wanted to get their hands on more. Of course if you had relatives in Ireland you knew what LSD meant over there, but most people had no idea. Another reason to get off the Euro and back to the punt.

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Springfield9 | Jun 29, 2011, 10:10 AM EDT

"Gombeen" never meant fool in the past. The "Gombeen Man" was a heartless/crooked rent collector.

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