10 Words You Need To Learn Before Moving To Dublin
One of the biggest draws to moving to Dublin from the United States was that they speak English in Ireland! However, anyone who has visited Ireland or lives here knows that just because we all speak the same language doesn’t mean we understand each other always. :) Besides their lovely brogue, the Irish talk fast, and they use loads of different words than we do in American English. I have had a lot of fun and, admittedly, some confusion, learning the Dublin vernacular, but now some of these words have worked their way into my every day vocabulary. Here are 10 words that might impress the lads at your local pub and make you feel pretty chuffed with yourself!
10. CRAIC
Fun. Yes, crack is wack, but this Irish term has nothing to do with drugs. Craic relates to fun, enjoyment, a good time, or an atmosphere. It can be a noun or an adjective, and can even be used to ask how/what you’re doing with, “What’s the craic?” If the Irish know how to do anything, it’s having good craic!
9. EEJIT
An idiot. The Irish probably have more ways to insult someone than any other culture and each one is as great as the next. I am particularly fond of eejit since it’s not considered as harsh as some others. However, if you really want to make a statement, add a “feckin’” to the front of it to let someone know you really mean business. For more ways to insult someone, check out this Lovin’ Dublin article.
8. WRECKED
Very tired or exhausted. Typically, someone is wrecked after a fun night out, but one can also be wrecked after a tough workout or a long day at work.
7. GAS
Funny. This one totally threw me for a loop! When I first heard someone being described as gas, I couldn’t even begin to guess what that meant. In the States, we use it to describe what we use to fuel our cars, or elements you find on the Periodic Table, or even a euphemism for releasing air from your bum (!). But in the Irish context, if something is gas, it’s funny. Said in a sentence, the show Derry Girls is gas. :)
6. to SLAG
(v.) To make fun of. If your buddies are giving you a hard time, they’re slaggin’ ya. It’s done with love and usually by those who know you well. Important — if used as a noun, it’s a sexually suggestive insult usually describing a woman. So be careful with this one.
5. ROUNDS
Buying drinks for the whole group with the implicit agreement that everyone in said group will do the same. Pub culture is one of the greatest things about Dublin and Ireland in general. Is there anything better than meeting your pals for “a pint” at your favorite pub? I don’t think so. What you need to know though, is there is no such thing as “one drink”; there will be rounds. There is etiquette involved with rounds, the most important being that once you’re in, you better not leave before buying your round for everyone else. Rounds also extends outside of your inner circle. It could be a complete stranger buying your drink and they are not being nice for nice sake, you must reciprocate the act of buying their drink. It really is more efficient for everyone if you think about it.
If you’re curious about rounds, you can read the Irish Central’s A Beginner’s Guide To Irish Pub Etiquette.
4. GAFF
Home. Similar to gas, I was clueless the first couple times I heard this one. A gaff is simply someone’s home.
3. QUID
One pound sterling / euro. If quid has to do with British currency, you’re probably wondering why the Irish have it in their vocabulary. This one simply dates back to when Ireland was under the control of the English and used pounds sterling as its currency. The term quid survived Irish independence and now refers to Euros. So if someone says, “that’ll be 10 quid”, you’ll know you owe them a “tenner” — another Irish slang word for a 10 Euro bill.
2. TAKE THE PISS OUT OF
To make fun of or laugh at someone or something. This one can be confusing for Americans too since the word “piss” has a few different meanings for us, most notably “to be pissed off” is to be angry, or “I need to piss” is needing to go to the restroom. The Irish use it similarly to “slagging” — “to take the piss out of someone” is to make fun of them, but in a loving way.
1. YER MAN
Referring to a person. Yer man, or, your man, can refer to that guy who lives down the street whose name you can’t remember right now; or someone you’re telling a story about, but the other person doesn’t know them, so instead of saying their name, you say “your man”. It can literally be used to describe anyone in any context. This one is my absolute favorite. I got so tripped up the first few times I heard it because I thought they were talking about my husband. Ha!
BONUS — SLÁINTE
Cheers! This is the one word you should learn if you ever move to or visit the beautiful Emerald Isle. Sláinte [pronounced slahn-chuh] is the Gaelic word for cheers and will earn you a little respect in an Irish pub. Say it proudly before taking your first sip of your pint of the black stuff!
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed learning something new and can put these into good use!
Until next time…
Sláinte! xo.
