- In the past few days I have been asked to decipher many many things i say so here is the nearly definitive guide of Northern Irish words:-)
- -Is that you? If you're asked this, please don't answer with "Of course it's me, you idiot!". They only want to know if you've finished whatever you're doing.
-Are you away? Again, no stupid sarcastic answers. They're asking if you are going out / leaving.
-What about ye? What's up, How are you?
-Tee, Te & Till. Different ways of saying 'To', depending on which area of N.I. you come from.
-Catch yourself on! Wise up.
-Dead on! Great. Perfect, Really nice. (Often used to describe people.)
-Wet the tea. Make some tea.
-Away in the head. Lost his senses. Stupid.
-Away on! You're kidding!
-Sound. Also a word of praise generally used for describing people.- 'He's dead sound!'
-Wait till I tell ye. This is difficult to translate. It's a way of starting a conversation or introducing something important or interesting into the conversation.
-I tell a lie. It's what you say when you've realised that you said something wrong!
-Do you think I came up the Lagan in a bubble? Do you think I was born yesterday? (The Lagan is the river that runs through Belfast. This phrase varies depending on which river you were brought up by.)
-Class, Cracker, Grand, Stickin' out, Magic, Smashing, Brilliant. Just a few more ways to say something's great.
-Ta, Ta-ta, Cheers, Thankin' you. And a few ways to say thanks.
-Are you gettin'? Have you been helped / served?
-He/she/that/this 'Does my head in.' Drives you up the wall.
-Mucker. Mate, friend.
-Steady/Steady on. Similar to saying 'Behave' or 'Watch it!'.
-I'll do you! I'll kill you.
-Clattered, Lamped. Hit, Punched.
-Faffin'/ Faffin' about. Messing around.
-Peelers. Cops.
-Spide. A term used when talking about trendy people who listen to rave and dance music.
-Wick, Naff. Stupid or useless.
-Eejit. Local pronunciation of the word idiot.
-Bog. Bathroom.
-Boggin', Mingin', Mankin'. Messy and horrible.
-Minger. Ugly person.
-Talent. Attractive people.
-Snog. Kiss.
-One night stand. In N.I. it can mean anything from a kiss, to going all the way.
-Yous. Plural of you.
-Ach! Oh, or Ah. As in 'Ach, What about ye?'
-Aye. Yes.
-Bake, Gub. Mouth.
-Pull. To get, or try to get 'lucky'. I.e.. 'Did he pull?' - 'He's on the pull tonight.'
-Crack/Craic. Fun.
-The Black Stuff. Guinness.
-Dummy. Pacifier.
-Pram. Stroller.
-Nappy. Diaper.
-Biscuit. Cookie.
-Poke. Ice cream cone.
-Lolly/Ice lolly. Popsicle.
-Scone. A sweet biscuit...of sorts.
-Bun/ Wee bun. Sweet roll, danish.
-Round. One portion, i.e.. 'round of toast'.
-Gravy ring. Ring doughnut.
-Bap. A bun or roll. Used mainly for sandwiches.
-Ulster Fry. A fried meal with eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, soda bread, potato bread, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. ALL FRIED.
-Soda. Soda bread. If you want the drink, you'll get the bread!
-Sausengers. Sausages.
-Lozengers. Lozenges.
-Sweets. Candy.
-Your man/woman. That man/woman.
-Thingy. In America, they would say 'What's-her/his/name?'
-Cheerio. Good-bye.
-All the best! Good-bye, wishing you all the best
That was . . . an education. Do you think I came up the Slaney in a bubble?
ReplyDeleteyou mean you didnt?????
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