Explore the language of Irish English, from ‘gobdaw’ to ‘hooley’

Tomorrow is St Patrick’s Day, which seems a perfect excuse to not only go out for a few beers and perhaps a couple of glasses of usquebaugh, but also to take a closer look at some Irish English words. However you choose to celebrate tomorrow, whether you’re planning to dance your socks off at a ceilidh or end up acting the maggot at some hooley, we hope you have great gas and it puts a big beaming smile on your coupon.

And if you’re feeling a bit bockety after all these celebrations, why not have a sit down with a nice cuppa and explore some more wonderfully colourful Irish English words. Simply hover over the image below to uncover a selection of Irish English words, from gobdaw to pishogue. Click on the words to be taken to the dictionary entry.

Sure it’s a great craic altogether!

 

amn't gobdaw bockety colleen arrah codology nixer pratie boreen yoke pishogue sleveen mitch louser hooley fáilte

Posted on: March 15 2012 | Categories: Interactive features, Varieties of English | Tags: , , , , , ,

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  • Geronimoap

    ‘usquebaugh’ is not Irish. ‘Uisce beatha’ is. Neither is used for whiskey when speaking English. -Jaedi

  • manpreet kaur

    hello