A

Act the maggot

vb. phr.

Behave in a humorously irrational or annoying manner

Acushla

exclam.

Term of endearment

Afters

n.

Desert eaten after lunch or dinner

Ages

n.

Long period of time

Airlocled

adj

Inebriated

Aisy

adj

Slowly (pron. 'Aye-zee)

Alanna

exclam.

Term of endearment, usually for a child

Alright?

q.

Question/ Are you alright?

Amadaun/ amadán

n

Fool, idiot

Any use

n.

Worthwhile or useful

Apache

n.

'Joyrider'/ someone who steals cars to race for fun

Arrah

interj.

Really!, truly!, but now!

Arse about face

adv. phr.

Backwards, the wrong way

Arse over kick

adv. phr.

Head over heels

Arseways

adv. phr.

Wrong, mixed-up

Article

n.

Small (female) person. General term of affection or derogatory about both sexes

Artist

n. derog.

Rogue, trickster

Ask me arse

Vigorous rebuttal

Ass's gallop

n. phr.

Brief period of time

Ass's roar (within)

n. phr.

Close proximity

Astore

exclam

Treasure, term of endearment

Astray in the head/ mind

adj. phr.

Very worried, mentally deranged

Atallatall

phr.

an example of redundancy for emphasis; "A yellow line means no parking atall; two yellow lines mean no parking atallatall".

Ate-your-bun

n.

Term of contempt

Aul fellah

adj

Old person - male

Avourneen

Away

adv.

Taken by the fairies, not right in the head

Away with yerself!

phr.

Expression of disbelief

Axe me arse

exclam. & nickname

Vigorous rebuttal

Aytin'-house

n.

Restaurant (see also eatin'-house)

Back to TOP

Babby

n.

Small child, baby

Baby Power

n.

Small bottle of Powers Irish whiskey

Back

adj.

West

Backdoor trot

n.

Diarrhoea

Bad dose

n.

Tough illness

Bags, make a

n.

Mess; do something incompetently or inadequately [see hames]

Balls/ ballsed

n. & adj.

[1] Testicles [2] Mess, mistake, disaster

Balls of malt

n.

Whiskey

Bamboozle

vb.

Deceive, outwit

Banantee

n.

Housewife

Banger

n.

Old non-vintage car

Banjax

vb.

Ruin, injure, smash, destroy

Banjaxed

adj.

Broken, ruined; can also mean tired

Banshee

n.

Any female figure of menace

Banter

vb.

Discuss, rebuke, admonish, challenge

Bap

n.

Small bread roll

Barmbrack

n.

Rich fruit loaf, frequently abbreviated to 'brack'

Barney

n. & vb.

Mind, head as in don't bother your barney. Also, vb. chat

Barrel

vb.

Move or travel rapidly with purpose

Baths

n.

Public swimming pool

Batter

adj. phr.

Serious drinking , as in 'on the batter'

Bawneen

n.

Traditional woollen pullover, frequently off-white

Baz

n.

Pubic hair

Bazzer

n.

Tight haircut

Be/ by the hokey

expletiv

Mild oath of surprise

Be the holies

expletiv

Mild oath of surprise

Bean-Gárda

n.

Police woman

Bean-jacks

n.

Female toilet/ convenience

Beat Banagher

phr.

Exceed the norm

Beat the lard out of s.o.

vb. phr.

Chastise severely, assault

Bedad

expletiv

Euphemism for "by God"

Beemer

n.

Fast German car

Begob

expletiv

Euphemism for "by God"

Begor/ begorra

expletiv

Euphemism for "by God"

Begrudger

n.

s.o. who consistently and jealously belittles the achievements of others

Begrudgery

abst. n.

Envy

Bejapers

expletiv

Euphemism for "by Jesus"

Below

adj.

South

Belt

vb.

Assault, hit

Belt of a/ the crozier

n. phr.

Episcopal censure

Best thing since sliced bread

phr.

Epitome of excellence

Biddy

n.

Meddlesome old woman

BIFFO

phr.

Big, Ignorant F**ker From Offaly

Bird

n.

Female, girl

Bit, the

phr.

Sexual intercourse

Black

n.

Crowded (town was black today!)

Blackguard

vb.

Abuse, vilify

Black stuff, the

n.

Guinness

Blaggard

n.

Chancer, hoodlum,

Blather

vb.

Talk on and on

Blather/ blether

n. & vb.

Nonsense

Bleedin' beemer

n

Very fast German car

Bleeding/ bleedin'

adj

Used to express serious emphasis; e.g. 'The weather was bleedin' terrible'

Blemm

vb.

Travel at speed

Blond with a black skirt

phr.

Pint of stout

Bloomsday

date

16th June 1094

Blow-in

n.

Recent arrival not accepted by native Dubs; Foreigner

Bocketty/ bockedy

adj.

Halting, imperfect, physically unstable or impaired

Bogball

n.

GAA football (from siobh@chickmail.com)

Bogger

adj.

Country person not from Dublin or Ulster. Comes from term "Bogman", from the Dublinese "bog", meaning all of Ireland except Dublin.

Bogman

n

Term of contempt

Bogs

n.

Public toilets

Bog-standard

adj.

Basic, rudimentary

Bogtrotter

n.

Term of contempt for a country person

Bold

adj.

Naughty, mostly of children, but sometimes also with sexual connotation.

Bold thing, the

n. phr.

Sexual intercourse

Bollix

n.

Despicable/ unsavoury individual, invar. male

Bollocking

n.

Scolding

Bombed out.

as adj

Jilted, given walking papers

Boner

n.

Erection

Boozer

n.

Pub, drinking house

Bother

n. & vb.

Annoy, trouble , perplex, tease, worry

Bowsie/ bowsy

n. adj.

Gurrier, lout

Box

n.

(1) Television.   (2) Another word for the female genitalia/genital area

Bowser

n.

Troublesome character

Box the fox

vb. & phr

Rob apples from an orchard

Boyo

n.

Lad, 'cute hoor', wild energetic man

Brain, to brain s.o.

vbj.

Assault, attack, hit

Boys o boys

phr.

Grunted sigh used to punctuate speech as an expression of tiredness

Brassy/ brasser

n.

Impudent shameless prostitute or hussy, a woman of dubious morals

Brat

n.

Badly behaved child

Break a pudding

vb. phr.

Belch

Brillo

adj.

Brilliant, as in wonderful

Bring, to

vb.

Take

Brothers, the

n.

Christian Brothers teaching order or school

Brown, in your

phr.

Expression of disbelief

Brush with

n. & vb.

Encounter,

Brutal

adj

Very bad

Bucket

vb.

Rain very heavily

Buckled

adj.

Intoxicated, an extreme state of inebriation

Bucko

n.

Lad, playboy

Bugle

n.

Erection

Bunt

vb.

To help someone climb a wall or tree etc. see also hoosh

Bush

n.

Female pubic hair

Bushed

adj.

Exhausted

Business, do me

n.

Have a shit

Back to TOP

Caboosh, the whole

n.

All, everything, everyone

Canary, got a

phr.

Arguement, commotion

Carrying

part. as n.

In the money

Carry-on

n.

Diarrhoea

Cat

adj.

Shocking, rough, unpleasant very bad

Cat got your tongue?

phr.

Asked of s.o. who refuses to answer a question

Catch oneself on

phr.

Adopt a normal viewpoint

Cat's lick

n. phr.

Perfunctory cleaning

Cat's pyjamas

n. phr.

Perfect

Catskin

n.

Shiny outer layer on newly baked bread

Ceili/ ceilidh

n. & vb.

Dance session, social gathering

Cha

n.

Tea

Chance one's arm

vb. phr

Take a risk, engage in something of an uncertain outcome

Chancer

n.

Devious person, s.o. generally male, who takes risks, mostly on the safe side of the law and often come away with a dividend. see also 'cute hoor'

Character

n.

Individual slightly larger than life

Chas Mahal

nickname

Government buildings restored under the aegis of Charles J Haughey

Cheek

adj.

Disrespect

Cheesed off

phr. adj.

Bored, fed-up, annoyed, upset

Chick nor child

phr

Nobody

Childer

n. plr

Children

Chinwag

n.

Chat, conversation

Chipper

n.

Fish and chip shop, generally a take-away

Chips

n.

French fries

Chiseller

n.

Affectionate term for a child

Chucker-outer

n.

Bouncer/ doorman

Chuckie

n.

(a) Armchair terrorist -- from Tiocfaid Ar Lá, roughly pronounced "Chuck-key are law", a supporter of violent Nationalism.  (b) A membersupporter of Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA

Ciotog

n.

Left-hander

Clappers , like the

n.

In great haste

Clatter

n.

Slap, hit, bang

Clatter

n. & vb.

Physical chastisement

Click

vb. & n.

Pick up a member of the opposite sex

Clip

n. & vb.

Quick blow, Slap, hit,/ used to punish

Clock

vb. & n.

Beat, punch, trash

Cobble

vb.

Gather together carelessly

Cock manger

n.

Urinals

Cod

n. vb. adj.

Deception, deceit or stupidity

Coddle

n.

Meal of ham, onions and potatoes

Codger

n

Difficult or irrational individual

Codology

n.

Nonsense

Cog

vb.

To copy , as in an exam

Combo

n.

Football practice

Comeuppance

n.

Just deserts

Conker

n.

Chestnut

Contraption

n.

Device, machine object, thing,

Constipated geryhound, like a

n.

Glum, upset

Contrary

adj.

Moody, irritable or irrational

Cooker

n.

[1] Stove [2] Apple used only for cooking

Cop-on

n. & vb.

Common sense, Understanding, streetwise knowledge

Copper

n.

Small denomination coin

Corner-boy

n.

Loitering without intent

Corpo

n.

Abbreviated term for Dublin Corporation

Cosy/ cosie

n.

s.o. who rents a taxi licence from the owner when the owner is not using it (co-driver)

Court

n. vb.

Pay amorous attention to or close sexual contact

Covers

n.

Bedclothes

Cow juice

n.

Milk

Crab

n.

Unpleasant child

Craic/ Crack

adj. n.

Fun, Crack is not a drug, although it can be intoxicating. Crack is good times, good conversation, often in a pub.Craic used to be Crack, but now it's Craic, because somewhere, a libel lawyer got nervous.

Crawling

metonym

Of grid-locked traffic

Crawthumper

n.

Ostentatiously pious/ religious individual

Craythur/ cratur

n.

Strong drink

Credit

n. vb.

Asset or advantage

Crisps

n.

Potato chips

Crock

n.

Dodgy car

Croker

n.

Affectionate abbreviation of Croak Park stadium

Crubeen

n.

Pig's trotter to eat

Cruiser, the

nickname

Conor Cruise O'Brien

Cruiscín lán

adj.

Plenty, (lit. 'full jug')

Culchie

n.

Derogatory term for a country person as perceived by Dubliners

Cúpla focal

n. phr.

A few words in the Irish language

Cur

adj.

Unpleasant fellow

Cute-hoor

n.

Clever or devious man with overriding self-interest. Often used with sneaking admiration. see also 'hoor'

Back to TOP

Da, the

n.

Affectionate and respectful term for Dad

Dab hand

n.

Expert

Dainty

adj.

Not prissy, not whiney, not rediculous, but a combination somewhere in between; Imagine a cat with dirty feet trying to clean them without touching them and you get the feel of this term.

Daw

n.

Fool

Dead

adj.

Extremely, e.g. dead tired

Dead loss

adj. n.

No good

Deadly

adj.

Extremely good or bad. Expression of enthusiasm (also 'Rapid') e.g."That song is fuckin' deadly!"

Dear

adj.

Expensive

Decent skin

n.

Nice person

Deffiney

adj.

Definitely

Dekko

vb.

Look at, inspect

Delft'

n.

Teeth

Delph

n.

Cups, plates etc,

Dense

adj.

Stupid person

Desperate/ despra

adj.

Very bad

Destroyed

adj.

Exhausted, harassed

Diabolical

adj.

Descriptive word for disaster or catastrophe

Didder

adv

Hesitancy or agitation

Diddle

vb.

Swindle

Diddy

n.

Nipple or female breast

Dig

n. vb.

A physical or psychological blow

Dip the wick

phr.

Try something, take a drink, get ready

Ditch

n.

Fence

Do a bunk/ flit

phr.

Sneak off/ usually to avoid paying a bill

Do a line with

phr.

Have a relationship with s.o. of the opposite sex

Dog's abuse

n. phr

Severe verbal abuse or insult

Dog's bollocks

n. phr

Genuine article

Dogs in the street

n. phr.

Everyone, the whole world

Dollies

n.

Female breasts

Dollop

n.

Large quantity of something, or adulterate something

Donkey's years

phr.

Long time

Don't be talking

phr.

Strong agreement

Doss

vb.

Play truant or non-purposeful use of time

Dosser

n.

Time waster, layabout, feckless individual

Dote

n. & vb.

Very nice child or adult, or to show affection for

Double barrel

n. phr

Repeated male orgasm

Drag

n.

Cigarette, or pull on a cigarette

Dresser

n.

Open furniture display unit for plates, cups etc.

Drink-Link

n.

A cash machine (ATM), so-called because it's the last place you visit before going out on the batter.

Drizzle

n.

Fine shower of rain

Drop

n.

Drink

Dry

adj.

Thirsty

Dry shite

n.

Dull person

Dub

n.

Person from Dublin

Dug out of

vb. phr.

Separate from someone by force

Back to TOP

Earwiging

vb.

Listening attentively to private conversations

Eat

vb.

Subject to verbal abuse

Eat out of house and home

phr. vb.

Big appetite

Eat the head off

phr. vb.

Attack verbally, vigorous and often abusive complaining, arguing or debating

Eatin' house

n.

Restaurant

Eccer/ ecker/ ekker

n.

School homework

Edgemecation

n.

Serious learning

Eejit

n.

Fool

E'erawan

n.

Anyone

Effin' and blindin'

vb.

Cursing

Eirog

n.

Sprightly comely girl

Elected

vb.

Fortunate in being accepted

Elegant

adj.

Excellent

Element, in his/ her

adj.

In great form

Element, that's the

n.

Expression of approval

English justice

n.

Oxymoron; you're presumed innocent until proven Irish.

Evening

n. & phr

Anytime after lunch or dinner, or as a greeting

Eye of the arse

n. phr.

Anus

Back to TOP

Face like the back of a bus

phr

Ugly

Fag

n.

Cigarette

Faggot

n.

Term of abuse applied to a woman, generally elderly

F-in' and blindin'

adj.

Cursing

Fair doos/ dues

n. phr.

Indication of agreement or admiration

Fangled

adj

Complicated

Fanner

n.

Work-shy individual

Farl/ farre/ fardel

n.

Quarter portion of griddle scone

Farthing face

n. phr.

Pinched, wan look; usually applied to a child

Faze/ faize/ fiz

vb.

Disturb or put to inconvenience

Feck

vb.

[1] Fetch, gain, seek or take. [2] A euphemism for 'fuck', similarly 'fecker', 'feck off', 'feck-all'

Feck around

phr.

Do nothing constructive

Feckless

adj.

Weak-minded, idle

Fegary/ figgairy

n.

Departure from normal conduct, notion

Féile

n.

Festival (pronounced Fay-la)

Fellah/ fella

n.

Male individual

Fib

n. & vb.

Lie

Fierce

adj.

Generally as an intensification to modify 'bad', 'serious', 'expensive' etc.

Fine thing

n. phr.

Sexually attractive woman

Fire

vb.

Throw

Fire away

phr.

Continue, go ahead

Fit to be tied

phr.

Very angry

Fiver

n.

Five pound note

Flah

n.

Sexually attractive woman

Flahool/ flahoolach

adj.

Lavish, generous

Flahoola

n.

Large loud woman of stupendous vulgarity

Flakes

n.

Breakfast cereal, corn flakes

Fleece

vb.

Steal or swindle

Flee rake

n.

Comb

Flicks

n.

Cinema, movies, pictures

Flip

vb.

Go insane

Floosie/ floozie

n.

Woman of questionable or low moral standards

Flummoxed

vb.

Confused, puzzled

Fluzie in the jakuzie

n.

A statue in the middle of O'Connell Street, Dublin

Fluthered

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Follow copy out window

phr.

Keeping to plan even when mistakes are blatant

Follower-upper

n. phr.

Second film of a double bill, or sequel

Fooster

n. vb

Confuse, Dither or fuss

Frolic

vb.

Hang about aimlessly

Fry

n.

Fried food, usually sausages, bacon, pudding, eggs, bread

Fuck/ fucking

adv.

Used for [1] emphasis, eg. 'fucking awful', [2] exclamation eg 'for fuck's sake', [3] imperative 'fuck-off', an invitation to depart hastily, [4] Have sexual intercourse

Fuck all

phr.

Nothing, mot much

Fuck the begrudgers

phr.

Expression of virulent scorn of critics by those determined to continue regardless of anything

Full of oneself

phr

Displaying exaggerated self-esteem

Full of wind and piss

phr

All talk and no action

Full-shilling, not the

n. phr.

Mentally handicapped

Back to TOP

Gaff

n.

House, flat

Gagging

vb.

Desperately anticipating something/ "I was gagging for that drink" from AndeH353@aol.com

gah/ gaa

n.

Generally derogatory reference to GAA, Gaelic Athletic Association

Gallery entertaining

n.

Great fun

Game ball

phr.

Excellent, OK, in good form

Gammy

adj.

Weak, unsteady

Gamut

n.

Collection

Ganey Mac/ janey mack

phr

Expletive of surprise

Gansey

n.

Sweater, pull-over

Gapin

adj.

Descriptive word for a catastrophe

Gárda/ Guard/ Gárdaí

n.

Police

Gargle

n.

Alcoholic drink

Gas

vb.

Very good, impressive, pleasurable, effective, funny, extraordinary

Gasper

n.

Cigarette

Gawk

vb.

To stare at, gape

Gaybo

nickname

Gay (Gabriel) Byrne

Gear

n.

Heroin (drugs)

Gee

n.

Vagina, term of abuse for a woman

Geeser

n.

Cat

Gerrup the yard

phr.

Crude invitation to "get lost". Probably stems from headmasters telling students to bugger off to the opposite end of the schoolyard

Get/ Git

n.

Bastard, term of abuse, despicable individual

Get/ go away outa that

exclam.

Expression of disbelief

Get off with

vb.

French kissing,

Get up the yard

phr

Crude invitation to sexual congress or to 'get lost'

Gick

n.

Unpleasant excrement

Give off/ out

vb.

Expostulate, complain strongly

Git

n.

Unhelpful person

Gizmo

n.

Anything the means of using or operation is not well understood

Glue, to have one's

phr.

Retort indicating strong rejection

Go, a

n.

A turn

Gob

n.

Mouth

Gobdaw

n.

Gullible person

Gobshite

n.

Term of abuse, despicable individual

Go-car

n.

Baby pushchair

Goffo

n.

Free ride on the back bumper of a vehicle unknown to the driver

Gollier/ gollyer

n.

Lump or gob of spittle

Gom

n.

Fool, idiot

Gombeen/ Gombín

n.

Con-man

Gomogue

n.

Young fool, idiot

Gone for its tea

phr. adj.

Worn out, of no further value

Good on ya

phr.

Expression of approval or good wishes

Gooter

n.

Penis

Gossoon

n.

Foolhardy individual

Gouger

n.

Lout, thug

Gra/ Grá

adj.

Affection or love

Grab All Association

phr.

Generally derogatory reference to GAA, Gaelic Athletic Association

Grand

adj

Fine, nice or OK

Granny, in my

exclam.

Expression of disbelief

Grind

n. & vb.

Extra tuition

Ground hurling

n. phr.

Political in-fighting

Guard

n.

Member of the police force

Guff

n. & adj.

Nonsense

Gumming

v.

Salivating, looking forward to eating or drinking

Gur cake

n.

Dense cake, frequently made from left-overs from other cakes

Gur, on the

vb.

Mitching, playing truant from school

Gurrier

n.

Street urchin, lout, thug

Back to TOP

Hairyman

adj

Very fast (as in he ran like a hairyman)

Half decent

adj.

Acceptable, respectable

Half glass

n.

Half pint

Hames, make a

n.

Mess; do something incompetently or inadequately [see bags]

Handy

adj

Convenient, not negligible, useful

Ha'penny place

n. phr.

Lowly position or condition

Hard chaw

n. phr.

Irrepressible joker, tough character

Hard neck

n.

Courage, initiative

Hard word

n. phr.

Hint, tip, bit of secret information

Hard, man

n. phr

Term of affection, tough character

Hash

n.

Mess, disaster/ "He made a hash of that!"

Haymes, make a

adj.

Disaster, mistake, mess

Header

n.

Fool, nutter, unpredictable character, unstable person

Head-the-ball

n.

Fool, nutter, unpredictable character, unstable person, person likely to cause trouble

Heavin'

n.

Crowded

Heel

n.

First or last slice of a loaf of bread

Heel of the hunt

phr.

Eventually

Herself

pron.

Quasi-respectful reference to wife or any female partner

High babies

n. phr.

Senior infants, second year in primary school

Hill 16

n.

Section of Croak Park Stadium associated with Dublin supporters

Himself

pron.

The man of the house; quasi-respectful reference to any male

Hole

n.

Arse

Hole in the wall

n.

Bank ATM machine

Holliers

n.

Holidays

Holy hour

n. phr.

Period of compulsory closing of licensed premises (pup)

Holy show

n.

Disgraceful behaviour

Hoofed

v.

Walked

Hooley

n.

Party

Hoor

n.

Whore, Lit. Hiberno-Irish pronunciation of whore, but not used exclusively to refer to prostitutes. In fact, it is usually used to refer to politicians, and therefore there is no possible relation to unsavoury people who perform favours for money.

Hoor, cute

n.

Term of denigration implying deviousness and lack of scruple

Hoor's bath

phr. adj.

Perfunctory cleaning

Hoosh

vb.

To help someone climb a wall or tree etc. see also bunt

Hop, on the

adj.

Playing truant

Hot press

n.

Airing cupboard, Domestic airing cupboard; place where hot water tank is

How's the form

q.

How are you?

How's your father

phr

Sexual activity

Howya!/ Howaya!

exclam.

How are you?

Hump, give me

phr.

Bore me

Hump off

vb & exclam

Go away, get lost

Hump, take the

phr. vb.

Take offence

Hunt

vb.

Drive away, see off

Hurler on the ditch

phr. n.

Non-participating critic who think they can do better

Huxter

n.

Casual trader, street trader

Back to TOP

I am in me wick!

phr.

You must joking!

I will in me ring!

phr.

I will not!

Ignorant

adj.

Badly behaved, insensitive, uncouth

In your granny's

adv. phr.

Well contented, comfortable

Indo

n.

Irish Independent (newspaper)

Back to TOP

Jacked

vb.

Exhausted

Jackeen

n.

Term for Dubliners by persons from outside Dublin (opp. of 'Culchie'), Basically, a Dubliner. Or sometimes more specifically, a Dublin born and bred 'between the canals', as would his parents and grandparents. Most definitely though, a 'true' Dubliner, not a blow-in who thinks he's a Dubliner just because he lives there. Also Dublin was always seen as the most "English" city in Ireland by provincials and this was coined as a term of derision stemming from the English flag, the Union Jack, by adding the diminutive, -een. Literally, "Little Jack". Derived from "shoneen", a sort of "working-class West Brit

Jacks/ jax

n.

Toilet

Jaded

adj.

Tired, worn out

Jammers

adj.

Crowded

Jam on yer egg

phr

Wishful thinking, will never happen

Jam rag

n.

Sanitary towel

Janey Mack

exclm.

Expression of surprise

Japers/ jakers

exclm.

Expression of surprise

Jar

n.

Drink

Jare, on the

n.

Playing truant

Jarred

adj.

Intoxicated, drunk

Jaysus/ jaysis

exclm.

Expression of surprise

Jibber

n.

s.o. afraid to try new things

Jig time, in

adv. phr.

Quickly, in no time at all

Jig, act the

vb.

Play the fool, act irresponsibly

Jobby

n.

Bowel motion

Jorums

n.

Drink measure

Jotter

n.

Copybook of poor quality paper

Joxer

n.

Idler, unemployed

Joy, the

n.

Mountjoy prison

Juicy

adj.

Cute

Jybe

vb.

Taunt, sneer

Back to TOP

Kaks

n.

Testicles

Kerry witness

n.

Someone who will swear to anything

Kibosh

vb.

To end or defeat, destructive action

Kick the traces

vb

Object

Kidger

n.

Young lad

Kildare side

n. phr.

Right-hand side

Kill

vb.; p.part.

Punish physically or verbally; Mentally/ physically overcome

Kilter, out of

adj.

Out of order

Kip

adj.

Dilapidated accommodation

Kip down

vb.

Rest, sleep

Kithogue/ cittogue

n. adj.

Left-handed or awkward person

Knacker

n.

Someone who is part of the "travelling community" in ireland, Itinerant, tinker, general term of abuse

Knackered

adj.

Tired

Knacky

adj.

Skilled, resourceful, creative

Knick-knocks

n.

Children's' street game of ringing doorbells and running away

Back to TOP

Laid up

vb.

Ill

Langer

n.

Penis

Langered

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Lard, beat out of

phr.

Assault, physically attack

Lash, give a

vb.

Attempt

Lash, lashings

n. adj

[1] Great number of, lavish, squander [2] Raining

Latch, bang the

vb. phr.

Delay, dilly-dally

Laudy daw

phr.

Self-important gobshite

Laugh, just for a

adv.

For the hell of it, no particular purpose

Lay a finger on

vb.

Hurt or harm, (usually used in the negative)

Lay off

Phr. Exclam.

Back off, stop!, leave me be

Lean into

vb.

Bring pressure to bear

Leather

n. & vb.

Beat, strike,

Left/ let

p.part.

Allowed

Leg

vb

Travel in haste

Legger, do a

n. & vb.

Depart on foot in haste

Lep

n. & vb.

Jump, leap, bound

Let on

vb.

Pretend

Lick

n. & vb.

[1] Cheat, beat [2] crawler, sycophant

Lick up to

vb.

Feign affection

Lick, at a good

vb. phr.

Move very swiftly

Lid

n.

Helmet, or sometimes the head..."Put a lid on your melon" = "Put your helmet on your head"

Life of Reilly

n. phr.

Carefree, hedonistic existence

Light into

vb.

Attack, berate

Like snuff at a wake

adv. phr.

With great rapidity, in great quantities

Like the hammers

adv. phr.

With great speed

Like you know

phr.

Like

Local, the

n.

Nearest licensed premises (pub), favourite pub

Locked

adj

Drunk, intoxicated

Long grass, be in

phr. vb.

Lie low, keep a low profile

Loosies

n.

Cigarettes/ fags sold individually, not in a pack

Lose the head

phr. vb.

Loss of temper or control

Lose the run of oneself

phr. vb.

Lose control

Low babies

n.

First year at school, junior infants

Lug

n.

Awkward individual

Lurching

vb.

Dancing up close

Lump

n. adj.

Good size, large, lazy person

LYKAH

phr.

Leave Your Knickers At Home

Back to TOP

Ma, the

n.

Mother

Mad

adj.

[1]Angry, [2] very

Maggot

n.

Unpleasant or disgusting person, term of contempt

Maggoty

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Mallet head

adj.

Fool

Mammy, the

n.

Affectionate term by children for mother, or in adult usage, mother or wife

Mammy's boy

n.

Person excessively dependant upon maternal affection

Man, that's your only

phr.

Correct chjoice

Mangy

adj.

Mean, untidy

Manky

adj.

Dirty, untidy

Massive

adj.

Impressive,  Dublin term meaning excellent

Me

n.

My

Me elbow!

exclm.

Expression of disbelief

Me oul flower!

phr.

Term of endearment

Me oul segotia!

phr.

Term of endearment for good friend

Melted

adv.

Very tired

Mentaller

n.

Irrational, unpredictable individual; mentally handicapped

Merciful hour!

exclm

Mild oath

Messages

n.

Shopping, small purchases

Messer

n.

Seriously incompetent and/ or disruptive individual, joker

Messing

vb.

Joking

Middling

adj.

Neither good nor bad

Mighty

adj.

Excellent, outstanding, wonderful

Mill

n. & vb

Gathering, fight

Mill into/ milling

vb.

Attack, physically assault, fight

Minding mice at a crossroad

phr.

Undertaking an undemanding task

Mind the busses

phr.

Be careful

Mind yerself!

phr.

Be careful!

Mineral

n.

Soft drink

Mitch

vb.

Play truant from school

Mo croí

exclm.

Term of endearment

Molly

adj.

Effeminate person

Mongrel fox

n.

Unsolicited critic

Monkey

n.

IR£500/ five hundred Irish pounds (currency)

Mortaller

n.

Mortal sin for Catholics

Mortified

phr.

Embarrassed

Mot/ mott

n.

Affectionate term for girlfriend or wife

Motherless

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Motting

vb

Courting, going out with, doing a line

Mouldy

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Mouth

n.

Noisy person, excessive talker

Muck

n.

Dirt, soil

Mucker

n.

A culchie

Mulchie

n.

Country person (culchie) from town rather that rural background

My friend

n.

Menstrual period

My hat!

exclm

Expression of disbelief

Back to TOP

Nary a one

n. phr.

None

National handler

n.

Front-man for a politician

Never never

n. adj.

Hire purchase, instalment payments

Next nor near

adj.

Near

Nicely

adj.

Fine, good, well

Nick

adj.

Condition

Nifty

adj.

Useful

Nifty fifty

n.

Honda 50 motorcycle

Night train

n. phr.

Detoxification programme for drug users

Ninety- nine/ 99

n.

Cone of ice cream with a chocolate flake in it

Nip

n.

Naked

Nits

n.

Head lice

Nixer/ nickser

n.

Work undertaken outside normal paid employment, and usually clandestinely

No better man

phr.

Imply appropriateness or suitability

Nobel call

n. phr

Invitation to sing/ perform at a social gathering

Noggin

n.

[1] Small measure of drink, [2] Head

Not a child in the house washed

phr.

Nothing accomplished, protest at being overcome by events

Not a word of a lie

n. phr.

The whole truth

Notion

n.

Pretentious inflated opinion, thought, idea

Nourished

adj

A drink taken

Back to TOP

O'Brien's dog

n. phr.

One who is all things to everyone

Odd

n. phr.

Roughly/ as in '43' is 40 odd

Odds

n.

Loose change

Oirish

adj.

Paddyism, excessive or exaggerated display of perceived Irish national characteristics

Old man/ lady

n.

Father/ Mother

Off yer nut

phr..

Crazy

On the batter

phr.

Drinking session

On the hop

vb. phr

Playing truant

On the never never

adj.

Acquired on hire purchase or instalment payments

On the pig's back

phr.

Enjoying good fortune

On the tear

phr

On a spree or a session of extended drinking

One and one

phr.

Fish and chips

Only trotting after

phr.

Outfaced, outsmarted, unable to keep up with

Ossified

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Other, the

n. phr

Sexual intercourse

Oul' flower

term of address

Expression of sentimental affection

Oul' son

term of address

Expression of sentimental affection

Oul' stock

term of address

Expression of sentimental affection usually between males

Oulfella/ aulfella

n.

Old man, usually father

Ounce

adj.

Small measure

Over

adj.

East

Oxo

adj.

Alright, OK

Oxter/ oxther

n. & vb.

Armpit, or to go arm in arm

Back to TOP

Paper, the

n.

Newspaper

Paralitic

adj

Seriously drunk

Park, the

n.

Phoenix Park, or Áras an Uachtaráin, the President's residence

Parlatic/ palatic

adj

Seriously drunk

Parlimentary side

n. phr.

Decorous or respectable aspect

Pass

n. vb

Interest

Passremarkable

adj.

Worthy of comment

Pay on the nail

phr. vb

Pay when due

Peg

n. & vb.

[1] Step, [2] Move to vigorously or hastily

Pelt, in one's

adj. phr.

Naked

Pelting

vb.

Throwing objects or raining heavily

Perishing

adj.

Very cold

Pet

adj. & n.

[1] Fine day in period of bad weather, [2] Crust (on bread)

Pick, not a

n. phr.

Reference to thinness

Picky

adj

Fussy about food

Pictures

n.

Cinema, movies

Pig-ignorant

adj.

Very stupid, very boorish

Pig's back, on the

n. phr.

Enjoying good fortune

Pin

n.

Pioneer, abstention from drink

Pinkeen

n.

Minnow (small fish)

Piped telly

n.

Cabled TV

Piseog

n.

Spell or charm

Piss

n. & vb.

[1] Urinate, [2] Heavy rainfall,

Piss artist

n. & vb.

Joker, trouble maker

Piss off

excm.

Invitation to depart rapidly

Piss up

n.

Drinking session

Pissed off

adj

Fed-up, exasperated

Plámás

n. & vb.

Flattery, soft talk

Plant

vb.

Deliver a blow or kiss

Plastered

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Plastic paddy

n.

People of Irish decent who considers themselves to be fully Irish

Plenish

vb.

Furnish a house

Póg mo thón

catchphrase

Kiss my arse Póg means kiss; mo means my; thón means ass

Poless

n.

Police

Polluted

adj.

Very drunk, intoxicated

Pookey/ pookie

n.

Malignant spirit

Pooley/ poolie

vb.

Urinate

Poor mouth

n. phr.

Persistent complaint of poverty

Poteen/ potín

n.

Illicit whiskey

Pot-walloper

n. adj

Derogatory term inferring female domestic servant

Powerful

adj.

Excellent, good

Poxy

adj.

Awful, bad hardly worth mentioning. "Went to Mick's bar last night and the poxy band drove us out the door".

Praties

n.

Potatoes

Press

n.

Cupboard

Proper order

phr.

Just right, 'I should think so'

Pubickers

n.

Pubic hair

Puck

n. & vb.

Sudden blow, hit

Puke

vb.

Retch, vomit

Pull a fast one

phr.

Get the upper hand by devious means

Pulling the devil by the tail

phr.

Living by one's wits, getting by

Pul up yer socks

phr.

Get busy, get on with it

Puss

n.

Face; Mouth; Self-pitying facial expression

Put manners on s.o.

phr

Discipline, induce to behave

Put on airs

phr.

Assume attitude of superiority

Put the heart across

phr.

Serious alarm or surprise

Put the tin hat on

phr.

Finish for good.

Put to the pin of one's collar

phr

Be stretched to the limit

Back to TOP

Quality, the

n.

Superior social class

Quare fella

n. phr.

Individual distinguished by eccentric or unusual conduct/ situation

Quare place, the

n.

Hell

Quare stuff, the

n.

Illicit whiskey

Quid

n.

Pre-euro money

Back to TOP

Rag order

adj

Disorganised, untidy

Raging

adj.

Very annoyed

Rags and tags

adj.

Tatters

Ráiméis/ ramas

n. & vb

Nonsense, senseless talk

Raise

adj.

Anger, annoy

Rake

n. & vb.

Large number/ quantity, lavish spending

Rap

n.

Counterfeit coin; anything of little worth.

Rapid

adj.

Nice, fine, groovy

Rapid!

exclm. & adj.

Term of praise

Rare

adj.

Exceptional, outstanding

Rare/ rare up

vb.

Get angry

Rarin' to go

vb

Very eager to

Rasher

n.

Sexual intercourse

Rashers

n.

Thin slices of bacon for frying

Rat-arsed

adj.

Intoxicated, drunk

Rat's arse, give a

phr.

Care a damm

Razz, on the

adj. phr.

On a spree

Reader

n.

Newspaper

Re-calibration

n.

Any amount of time spent with the AA/ (Alcoholic's Anonymous)

Reddener, take a

vb

Blush [see scarlet]

Red-neck

n.

Anyone who isn't from Dublin (comes from the parents hitting their children on the back of the neck, saying 'Get up to Dublin and get a job)

Reef

vb.

Attack violently, tear or remove forcibly

Relics of aul decency

n. phr.

Preserver memorials of a fortunate/ favoured era

Ride

n.

Woman generous with sexual favours, sexually attractive woman

Ride, to

vb.

To have sexual intercourse

Rig out

n.

Suit of clothes or outfit

Right

adj

Used for emphasise e.g. ' a right mess'

Rí-Rá/ ree-raw

n.

Disturbance, uproar

Risk it for a biscuit

phr

Take a chance

Rock and roll

n.

Sexual intercourse

Rolling

adj.

Drunk and incapable

Rookied

adj.

Wrecked

Root

vb.

Search

Rosiner

n.

Measure of drink

Rubber

n.

Pencil eraser

Ructions

n.

Commotion, disturbance

Ruffian

n.

Bully or rowdy male

Run

vb.

Chase away

Runs

n.

Another term for scutter (Diarrhoea)

Run your lamps over

vb. phr.

Look at, check out

Runner, do a

n.

Depart rapidly

Runner-in

n.

Recent arrival

Runners

n.

Plimsolls, track or sport shoes

Back to TOP

Sally

n

Head; comes from Sallynoggin (Dublin suburb) you take out the noggin part which is head.

Same difference

adj

Identical

Sanger

n

Sandwich

Sasanach

n

English person (term of derision).

Sap

n

Wimp, soft touch

Savage

n

Very severe, awful

Scallion

n.

Spring onion

Scarlet

adj

Flushed with embarrassment

Scatter

vb.

Run away from

Sconce

n. & vb

Glance ,look

Scoop

n.

Drink measure

Score

vb.

Gain physical intimacy with a man or woman

Scrab/ scraub

vb.

Scratch, scrape

Scram

vb.

Go away!

Scrap

n

Fight

Scrape

n.

Sexually obliging woman

Scratcher

n.

Bed

Scrubber

n.

Common woman of working class, derogatory term for a female

Scut

n.

Male who behaves badly

Scutter/ scutters

n. & vb.

Diarrhoea

Screwed

adj

Fecked, in trouble

Scuttered

adj

Drunk, intoxicated

Segotia

n.

Close friend (e.g. me aul segotia)

Septic

adj

Awful

Session

n.

Period of time spent drinking; a gathering for drink

Sevener

n.

Fainting fit

Shagged

adj.

Tired

Shagger

n.

[1] Term of contempt, [2] s.o. who copulates

Shagg all

adj.

Nothing

Shammier

n.

Tennis ball

Shape

vb.

Put on airs, show off

Sheep's eyes, make

vb. phr.

Look fondly at s.o. of the opposite sex

Shenanigans

n. & vb.

Trickery, causing trouble

Shift

vb.

Gain physical intimacy with a man or woman/ Make out with s.o.

Shinny

vb.

Climb up/ down

Shite, in your

n.

Retort indicating rejection ( e.g. you will in your shite)

Shloshed / shlossed

n

Drunk

Shockin'

adj.

Expressive word for disaster or catastrophe

Shook

adj.

Ill, Pale, Sick, Scared, Surprised

Shore

n.

Water/ waste drain outside house

Show

vb.

Give (e.g. show me the book)

Shower of savages

phr

Crowd having a raucous good time

Skanger

adj.

Rough, tough person, skumbag with a unique type of Dublin accent

Skin

adj.

Person who is a friend, as in decent skin

Sickner

adj.

Bad weather

Single

n.

Portion of fried potatoes (chips) from a take-away

Sink the black

vb.

Drink porter/ stout

Skelp

vb.

Strike with an open hand/ To hit s.o. a blow

Skew-ways

adj.

Side-ways, obliquely

Skilt

adj.

Cheeky/ irresponsible girl

Skin, decent

adj.

Term of affection

Skinnymalink

adj.

Tall, usually thin person

Skit

adj

Taunt, ridicule

Slag

vb

To tease or make fun, take the rise out of. In Dublin, if people don't slag you unmercifully, it's a sign they probably don't like you.

Slán

phr. vb.

Good health; farewell. (slán go fóill!/ so long; slán leat!, slán agat!/ cheerio, farewell.)

Slapper

adj.

tart (woman)

Slash, have a (take a)

n.

Urinate; take a piss

Sleep it over

phr. vb.

Sleep in

Slice the legs off

vb. phr.

Sexual intercourse with a female

Sliver

adj.

Thin slice

Slug

n.

Mouthful of a drink/ give me a slug

Smashin'

adj.

Fine, good, wonderful

Smig

n.

Chin or beard

Smug

vb

Engage in homosexual activity

Snailer

n.

Trail of mucus from the nose

Snapps

n.

Photographs

Snapper

n.

Infant, child

Snared

vb.

Caught smoking illicitly at school

Snared rapid

vb.

Caught shooting heroin

Snog

vb

Kiss

Snot

n

Unsightly nasal discharge

Snug

n.

Pub Booth; Private compartment in a public house

Soft

adj.

Mild or wet

Soft as shite

n

'Soft in the head'

Soft spot

n. phr.

Indulgent attitude

Soother

n

Dummy, baby pacifier

Sound

adj

Fine, good, OK

Sound man!

phr. exclam.

Expression of approval

Spa

n.

Awkward or troublesome individual, badly co-ordinated person

Spacer

n.

[1] Streetwise individual, [2] Crazy/ eccentric individual

Spark

n.

Object of romantic interest

Sparrow fart

adj.

Very small

Spit

n.

Measurement of distance

Spoof

vb

Tell lies, embellish

Spoofer

n.

s.o. who talks on about things without any knowledge

Spuds

n

Potatoes

Squealer

n

Baby

Stabber

n.

Remaining portion of cigarette stubbed out

Stall-fed

adj.

Pampered

Steeler

n.

Metal ball used in game of marbles

Steeped

adj.

[1] Imbue with a quality, fortunate, [2] Drenched/ soaked

Still an' all

phr. exclam.

Nevertheless

Stir

n. & vb.

Move

Stirrin' the pot

phr.

Creating or maintaining animosity between individuals or groups

Stocious

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Stop the lights!

phr. exclam.

Really!, good grief!

Strand

n.

Beach

Suckin' diesel

n

Having a good time, all's well

Stung

adj.

Embarrassed

Sup

n.

A drink

Swallie

vb.

Swallow, drink

Back to TOP

Take

vb.

Bring (eg take the clothes in from the line)

Take a feather out of

vb. phr.

Surprise, faze

Take your hour

vb. phr.

Wait

Tan

n.

English person (derogatory)

Tap

vb. & n.

Wheedle money out of

Tart with the cart

n

Monument of Molly Malone historical street vender

Taste

n

Small quantity

Tear

vb.

Move quickly

Teeming

vb.

[1] Crowded, [2] Raining heavily

Tell a picture

vb.

Recount the plot of a film

Telly

n.

Television

Thick/ tick

adj.

Stupid, obtuse

Three prices, the

n. phr.

Excessive amount

Thrill

n.

Derogatory term for a woman

Thrilled skinny

adj. phr.

Very excited

Throat, have a

vb. phr.

Be thirsty

Throllop/ trollop

n.

Untidy woman

Throng

adj.

Occupied

Throw shapes

adj.

Make aggressive gesture, act aggressively

Thundering

adj.

Used for emphasis e.g. 'thundering disgrace'

Tighten

vb.

Fortify with drink

Tinker

n

Traveller, Gypsey, Derogatory term for a female

Tinker's fart

n. phr.

[1] Negligible amount, [2]

Tip

n

Messy untidy place (n); Dump rubbish (vb.)

Tool

n

Penis

Top of the morning

phr.

Paddyistic greeting

Tosser

n.

Feckless individual

Touched

n

Strange or mentally handicapped individual

Toucher

n

Someone always looking for a handout

Town

n

The main shopping streets in Dublin city centre

Traipse

vb.

Walk until weary under adverse conditions

Trap

n.

Mouth

Trick-acting

vb.

Messing about, showing off

Trolleyed

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Trotting after

phr

Pale imitation of

Trousered

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

True for you!

phr.

You are right

Tugger

n.

(Female) Old clothed dealer

Turf accountant

n.

Bookmaker; stems from betting on horse races, although turf accountants will give odds and take bets on just about anything.

Turnip-snagger

n.

Derogatory term for a rural dweller

Twang

vb. & n.

[1] Copulate with a woman [2] Woman seen as a sex object

Twangman

n.

Pimp

Twist

n.

Turn to buy a drink

Twisted

adj.

Drunk, intoxicated

Two-bulb

n.

Garda squad car

Two ends of, the

adj. phr.

Complete and utter

Back to TOP

Unbeknownst

adj.

Unnoticed, unobserved

Uncle Arthur

nickname

Reference to Guinness

Unfortunate girl

n. phr.

Prostitute (so termed by the virtuous of the same sex)

Up

adj

North or up/ as in "Up Offaly!" Shout of encouragement, usually referring to athletic teams. Not to be confused with the Americanism, "Up yours!"

Up a duff

phr., adj

Pregnant

Up entirely

adv.

Altogether

Up in one's hat

phr, adj.

Overjoyed

Up the flue

phr., adj

Pregnant

Up the pole

phr., adj

Pregnant

Up the yard

phr., adj

[1] Pregnant [2] You'r not serious!

Up the walls

adj. phr.

Agitated, anxious, emotional, crazy

Up to

adj. phr.

Capable of

Up to ninety

phr., adj

Excited, frustrated, agitated

Urchin

n.

Street child

Back to TOP

Veggie

nickname

Derogatory term for mentally handicapped

Vexed

adj.

Angry, upset

Back to TOP

Wafer

n.

Slice of ice-cream sandwiched between two biscuit layers

Wagon

n.

Pejorative term for a woman, esp. Who has an unpleasant streak

Wain

n.

Child

Walking woman

n.

Beggar-woman

Wall-falling

adj

Exhausted

Wan, yer

adj.

That woman

Wanker

n. phr

Derogatory term to dismiss an uninteresting, dull, irrelevant person (normally male)

Wasp

n.

Dublin traffic warden (uniform colours)

Wear

n. & vb.

French kiss

Wee

adj

Little or small

Well wear

exclam.

Congratulatory wish in relation to new clothes

Well-got

adj.

Affluent, enjoying a position influence

West Brit

n.

Derogatory term for s.o. aping the manners of British establishment; West Briton. Pejorative. An Anglophile, someone who perceives Ireland as West Britain, or a middle-class Dubliner, typically southside (especially Dublin 4), stereotypically with liberal attitudes on moral issues

Wet the tea

n. phr.

Make a cup or pot of tea

Wet week

n. phr.

Short period of time

Whacked

adj.

Exhausted

Whiff

n.

A smell

Whist/ whisht

phr.

Request for silence

Wobbler, throw a

vb.

Give vent to annoyance or anger

Wojus

adj.

Poor or bad; "That tea is wojus."

Wren, go in/ with the

vb.

Take part in the activities of the Wren Boys on Dec. 26th

No entries yet

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Y fronts

n.

Men's briefs

Y, up to the

adv.

Up to the hilt

Yahoo

n.

Individual of low intellectual or moral standard

Yeh-boy-ye!

phr. exclm.

Expression of admiration

Yeh-girl-ye!

phr. exclm.

Expression of admiration

Yellowpack

adj.

Derogatory term for low paid work, or cheap goods

Yer man/ woman

adj.

That man/ woman whom it is unnecessary or undesirable to name

Yoke

adj.

Unspecified thing, object.   Thingamajig, whatchyamacallit. "That yoke there."

Yokibus

adj.

Unspecified thing, object

Your other eye!

exclam.

Expression of disbelief, nonsense

Youse/ youze

phr.

You (in plural)

Yup ya boy ya!

phr. exclm.

Expression of admiration

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Zilch

adj.

Nothing, empty, zero