Just so ye Eejits know what the banter's about..........

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I left Ireland over 20 years ago, only coming home for holidays and a few short (but extended) periods throughout those years, I love my country and I am very proud to be an Irish native.
Having traveled quite extensively to both English speaking countries and non-English speaking countries, I have found that even all these years later native english speakers often have trouble understanding my accent.
I am from the north of the country and my accent remains very pronounced although years of people not understanding a word i am saying has caused me to slow down, when I speak and I go to use Irish slang, I quickly correct myself and put it in terms that the person will understand. I think anyone with a strong accent or is from an area of any part of the world that uses a lot of local slang will understand why this is so.
The thing is when I get into a group of other Irish people all my slang comes back..........Immediately, People who know me, observe the conversation often not understanding a word we are saying. I have had close friends and even boyfriends looking at me with confused looks when I am on the phone to a family member as the same happens when I talk to my folks, People that know me well throw their hands in the air and give up trying to understand the jist of the conversation.
This amuses me greatly and I have even been bold enough to have gone as far as having conversations about the person sitting next to me without them having a clue that they are the topic of the chat.
This got me thinking of some of the slang used in my particular part of Ireland, so I have compiled a list, some of these terms are used in other parts of the country, some I remember from home some I looked up, I had a giggle (titter) researching this:

Irish Slang

Wee buns - “That was wee buns” That was easy

Baps - Either your head or bread roll

Cat - “It was cat” It was not very good

Acting the maggot - “Stop acting the maggot” Stop being silly

In bits - “I’m in bits” I am not well

Gutties - Trainers/sneakers

Buck - “Would you look at that buck” A term referring to a man (In Belfast it has another meaning, referring to an intimate act…………nuff said!)

Yokes - Refers to any item re: “Hand me that yolk”

Bout ye - Belfast slang for Hello, how are you?

Suckin diesel - “Now yer sucking diesel” You’re doing well

Put the boot to the board - Go faster

The cut of ye - referring to one’s appearance

I’ll warm your arse - Usually shouted to by frazzled mother, It’s a threat of being spanked.

Catch yerself on – Stop being a fool

Wise up - Get some sense

Just a tick – I will only be a minute

No Shit Sherlock – Used when someone says something obvious

Banjaxed – Inebriated

Wind yer neck in – Calm down

Critter – A term used in affection re:(He’s a lovely wee critter)

A head on her only a mother could love – She is not attractive

He could peel an orange in his pocket – He’s cheap

The messages – Belfast slang for groceries

A Hallion – Person with questionable character

Scundered – Embarrassed

Mad as a bag of weasels – Really angry

Wingnut – A bit of a lunatic

Dander – A short walk

A geg – “He’s a geg” A funny person

Boke – Belfast term for vomit

He’s touched – Someone who is a little crazy

Mer ere – Come over to me

Fancy a few – Shall we go to the pub?

Windee – A window

Sound – A decent person or OK then as in agreement

A tool – An idiot

Gammy – “He has a gammy arm” He can’t use his arm

Deadly – Fantastic

A ride – referring to someone you’re attracted to

Manky – Dirty

A gimp – A fool

Mouldy – Drunk

Class – referred to anything that is good

Gander – A quick look

A scoop – An alcoholic drink

A chancer – Someone not to be trusted

The jacks/the bog – the bathroom

Gobshite – Someone you don’t like

Banter – chat amongst friends usually involving friendly teasing.

Mighty – very good

Cop on to yerself – pull yourself together

Knackered – exhausted

Thick – Referring to a person who is a bit stupid



So I'm off now for a couple of gargles, have a belter ye lot.

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