American Skin

Glossary of Irish Words, Expressions and Irish-English Usage. Irish-English is as different from The Queen’s English as a pint of Guinness is to a pint of Bitter. The former is as dark as the latter is weak.

Agus a mhathair: And His mother

Agus bheannacht: And blessings

Airgead: Money

Bangers: Sausage/secondhand car

Banjaxed: Fucked

Bhi curamach: Be careful/mind yourself

Bollocks: See bowsie

Boreen: Small unpaved road

Bowsie: Thug/shithead/accountant

Bringlodi: Dreams

Ceili: Irish music festival

Crack: Fun... party time

Culchie: Anyone not from Dublin (not flattering)

Currachs: Boats used by the Aran slanders

Cute hoor. Smart-ass

Dia leat. God be with you

Dubh: Black

Ejit: See bollix

Feck: The polite form of fuck

Filum: Movie

Fuaraigh: Chill (out)

Gobshite: A bollix with notions

Gra go mor: Mega love

Gunna: Gun

Gurrier: Thug

Kybosh: Jinx

Leat fein: You, too

Mobile: Cell phone

Notion: Ego inflation

Och ocon: Woe is me

Oul wan: Old woman

Pg mo thoin: Kiss my ass

Pishrog: Belief or expression based on superstition

Ride and a rasher: Sex followed by breakfast

Shebeens: Illegal drinking clubs

Sin sceal eile: That’s a whole other story

Slainte: Cheers

Slainte amach: Cheers with feeling

Smashing: Terrific

Sneachta: Snow

Ta tu aras: You’re back... couldn’t cut it, huh?

The Boyos: The IRA

Wan/yer wan: A woman, derogatory term in heavy Galway accent