On this island, the English and Irish languages are inextricably linked, such is the nature of our country’s history. The future of the Irish language is a hotly debated topic, but what cannot be denied is that it has firmly left its mark on our vernacular.

We have a word to describe everything, several of them even, and if not then you make one up. Words lodge in pockets around the country and the same word can differ from county to county.

This dictionary is made up of words that are uniquely Irish. Some are as Gaeilge, some are anglicised, some are colloquialisms and others, well, we don’t know where they came from, but they’re here. This dictionary is by no means definitive, but just a flavour in celebration of the week that’s in it.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.

  • Amadán: The Irish for fool.
  • Bacach: The Irish for beggar, used mostly with negative connotations.
  • Baloobas: To go mental.
  • Banjaxed: Broken.
  • Beure: Derived from the Traveller language Shelta, meaning woman.
  • Blaggard: An unscrupulous person that cannot be trusted.
  • Bockety: Slightly broken.
  • Boke: To vomit.
  • Boreen: A narrow country road.
  • Cat melodeon: Awful, unpleasant, calamitous or very disappointing.
  • Boyo: A man or boy who is troublesome.
  • Buachalán: Ragworth.
  • Buailtín: An Irish word referring to the part of a flail that strikes corn.
  • Chancer: Someone who exploits every opportunity.
  • Ciotóg: Someone who writes with their left hand.
  • Cop on: To have sense.
  • Craic: A term referring to fun.
  • Creathur: Someone that misfortune has fallen upon.
  • Crubeens: Pigs feet that are boiled and eaten.
  • Culchie: A country person. Thought to be derived from the Irish cúl on tí (back of the house), in that country people go in the back door of houses.
  • Dalt: A troublemaker.
  • Delirah: From the word delighted, meaning to be ecstatic about something.
  • Dinger: Someone who is particularly accomplished in a skill or very fast.
  • Fal-dal: A decorative trinket that is of little functionality. Often brought back from one’s holidays.
  • Feen: A term referring to a young man.
  • Flaithulach: Not being afraid to spend money.
  • Flootered: Extremely intoxicated.
  • Galavanting: Out having fun or off adventuring.
  • Galoot: A fool.
  • Gammy: Something that is not working correctly.
  • Girleen: A term referring to a female friend or young girl.
  • Gosson: A term referring to a young boy.
  • Gowl: An idiot.
  • Gowlóg: A stick with a fork in it used to find water.
  • Gully: To drink quickly.
  • Gurch: To take a look at.
  • Hallion: Northern Irish slang for a cheeky girl.
  • Hames: To do something incorrectly.
  • Hanging: To have a longing for something.
  • Jackeen: A person from Dublin. The word references the Union Jack, in the context of the time of Dublin as the Pale.
  • Lammy: Usually prefixed by go, meaning to go mad.
  • Langer: A word associated with Co Cork, meaning idiot.
  • Lúdramán: Idiot.
  • Lug: The bottom of your ear.
  • Luidín: Your small finger.
  • Mangled: Broken.
  • Manky: Dirty.
  • Meitheal: An Irish word describing a group of people, unusually neighbours, working together to foot turf or cut hay.
  • Mhaceen: An Irish word prefixed by a, the term refers to a male friend or young boy. The direct translation from Irish is little son.
  • Míadh: An eejit.
  • Miralieu: To take a bad turn or throw a fit.
  • Mullocking:Messing.
  • Ninny: Giddy.
  • Nixer: A job done outside one’s full-time employment to supplement income. Usually denotes a cash-in-hand arrangement.
  • Ossified: Very drunk.
  • Pampooties – The traditional shoe of the Aran Islands made from animal hide.
  • Párthaí: The Irish for potato.
  • Piseog: Superstition.
  • Purty: A flashy new accessory or gadget to be shown off.
  • Ráiméis: The Irish word for speaking nonsense.
  • Rissole: A spicy burger coated in breadcrumbs sold in Wexford chippers.
  • Sca: News or gossip.
  • Scan: A way to greet or address a friend.
  • Scattered: To be disorganised.
  • Scelp: To take a chunk out of something.
  • Scraw: A sod of turf.
  • Screed: To have nothing.
  • Scutters: Diarrhoea.
  • Sham: A way to refer to someone, usually denoting friendship.
  • Shamozzle: A minor fight or disagreement.
  • Shebeen: A mobile pub.
  • Shift: To kiss.
  • Shindig: A party or notable event.
  • Skit: To laugh.
  • Slug: To take a long drink.
  • Sparky: An electrician.
  • Spondoolicks: Money.
  • Squeezebox: An accordion.
  • Súgán: Straw woven into rope.
  • Sup: To take a short drink.
  • Tackies: Another word for runners or sports shoes.
  • Ticket: A funny person.
  • Tight: Being afraid to spend money.
  • Topper: Someone who is exceptionally good at something.
  • Weein: A child.
  • Wonkey: Slightly broken.
  • This story first appeared in Irish Country Living in the edition of 16 March 2019.

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