Irish English is often called Hiberno-English. The English language in Ireland dates back to the 12th century, due to the Norman invasions. For a while, English was only spoken by a small minority of people, known as the Pale, who lived around Dublin. English became popular around the 16th and 17th Centuries, when the British began taking over the plantations of Ireland. Since then, it has grown to be the majority language in the Republic of Ireland.
Hiberno-English spoken in Ireland is definitely influenced by Gaelic and Irish culture, so it is not the same as British or American English. One interesting aspect about Hiberno-English is that Irish people do not often use words that translate directly as “yes” or “no.” When people ask each other questions, people will answer with the verb that was asked in the question, with a positive of negative answer.
If someone asks: “Are you coming to the pub,” the answer could be “I am,” or “I am not,” rather than “Yes,” or “No,” However, because of globalization, some of these unique aspects are disappearing, particularly among younger people.
The city of Dublin has many different accents, like big cities like London or New York, which relate to age, class and family. There is “local Dublin,” which is a working-class dialect; “inner Dublin” or “knucker accent,” spoken by the middle class and suburbanites; and “New Dublin,” which is common amongst younger people.
Here is a dictionary of some common Irish slang:
Babby: Child
Bad egg: Troublemaker
Banger: Old car
Be wide: Be careful
Bleedin’ deadly: Brilliant
Boozer: Pub
Cacks: Trousers
Capper: Handicapped person
Cat: Awful
Cha: Tea
Chucker-out: Doorman/Bouncer
Cow Juice: Milk
Dander: Leisurely stroll
Divil: Devil
Dosser: Slacker, useless
Drink Link: ATM
Dry up!: Shut up!
Elephants: Drunk
Fairy lights: Christmas lights
Fire away: Continue, go ahead
Flea rake: A comb
Gaff: House
Gas: Funny
Gift: Excellent
Gom: Idiot
Hames: A mess
Hole in the wall: ATM
Hooley: Party
Jacked: Tired
Jo Maxi: Taxi
Juicy: Cute
Laudy daw: Snob
Life of Reilly: Carefree, hedonistic
Lift: Elevator
Mentaller: Crazy guy
Narky: Cranky
Nuts: Mad
Oxters: Armpits
Plankin’ it: Very nervous
Poppies: Potatoes
Press: Cupboard
Rabbit on: To talk a lot
Ri-Ra: Fun
Rosie Lee: Tea
Rubber dollies: Running shoes
Scarlet: Blushing
Scran: Food
Shades: Police
Skin: Friend
Vitamin G: Pint of Guinness
Whist: Keep quiet
Here are some English words derived from the Irish language:
Baltimore: meaning “town of the big house”
Bog: a wetland
Colleen: A girl
Galore: A lot
Shamrock: A clover
Shanty: An old house
Slew: A great amount
Whiskey: Translates as “water of life”
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