Brace yourself for these great Irish insults.Photocall Ireland
Ever wonder what it is like to be insulted in Gaelic? Or just in Irish English?
Try some of these insults out next time you get annoyed with someone. If these work, your husband/ wife/ boyfriend/ girlfriend/ cat/ dog will likely throw some of them at you.
A Gobshite:
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Gobshite insult
A loud-mouthed person who talks a lot, but says nothing of any value – as in nonsense coming out of their gob (mouth).
"Shut it, you little gobshite!"
Cute Hoor:
Politicians (pictured: Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern) are often referred to as "Cute Hoors." Image: Photocall Ireland.
Cute Hoor politicians
Not what it sounds like. This means a sneaky but clever person, and is used usually when referring to politicians.
“He’s a right cute hoor.”
Amadán (pronounced oma-dawn):
Some, like Jedward, are laughing all the way to the bank. Image: Photocall Ireland
Amadan Jedward
An idiot. This is Gaelic for stupid or feckless.
“You are nothing but an amadán.”
Oinseach (pronounced ownshuck):
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Oinseach woman glasses
Female equivalent of an amadán. This one is not as widely used.
Luadraman (pronounced Lew-drom-awn):
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luadraman
A waster, a twit, a slow-thinking fella, often used in a semi-affectionate way.
"He’s a right luadraman."
Póg mo thón:
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Insults fighting fans
No translation necessary.
Bostún:
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Bostun AIB tapes
Gaelic for b***ard, a fairly serious insult in Gaelic.
He/She’s away with the fairies:
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Away with the faeries
Meaning they’re out of it, completely detached, no sense talking to them.
Gombeen:
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Gombeen illustration
A right chancer, usually someone trying to take advantage.
Plámáser (pronounced plam-awser):
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Plamasar
From the Gaelic to praise, except used in the context of fake praise in an attempt to get something.
“He’s a right plamaser.”
Gobdaw:
Image: Photocall Ireland
Gobdaw
The same as Gobshite, idiot or fool.