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Irish English: How well do you understand it?

1.3k Views 35 Votes 54 Comments

I’d like to give you a flavour of my own dialect, Irish English. First of all let me explain what I mean by ‘Irish English’. Also called ‘Hiberno English’, it’s the dialect of English spoken in Ireland. Not to be confused with Irish, Ireland’s native Celtic language. Though the Irish language has had a significant influence on the way people in Ireland speak English, it is an entirely separate language, related to other Celtic languages like Breton, Welsh and Gaelic, which is spoken in Scotland. How well do you understand Irish English? See how accurately you can match the following words and phrases to their meanings.

  • Question of

    You’ll find it in the press

    • It’s in the newspapers
    • it’s in the cupboard
    • It’s a new type of craft beer, only available in a few select outlets
    • It’s the type of thing that only comes to you when you under great pressure
  • Question of

    Sure I’m only after eating me dinner

    • All I want is to eat my dinner
    • I hope someone will eat my dinner for me
    • I’ve just eaten my dinner
    • There’s no dinner this evening
  • Question of

    Here’s your man with that yoke

    • Here comes the fellow with that thingamajig
    • Your husband is approaching with the egg
    • Your fiancé in under the impression he may marry you
    • The victor approaches!
  • Question of

    Hotpress

    • Bestseller list
    • Ironing shop
    • Evening newspaper
    • Airing cupboard
  • Question of

    You’re some eejit

    • Thanks for your help
    • It’s your round next (at the pub)
    • Will you marry me?
    • You’re a prize fool
  • Question of

    Runners

    • Messengers
    • Trainers
    • Racers
    • Journalists
  • Question of

    Galore

    • Rich and sweet
    • Plentiful
    • Sexy
    • In short supply
  • Question of

    Lorry

    • 4×4
    • Tricycle
    • Truck
    • Valley
  • Question of

    Wagon

    • Horse-drawn carriage
    • Ice cream covered in chocolate
    • A hammer for hitting leprechauns
    • An annoying woman
  • Question of

    Who’s your one?

    • Who is that girl?
    • Which filly is going to win the race? (Betting talk)
    • Who is your favourite?
    • The vehicle runs on petrol?
  • Question of

    A bold child

    • A strong lad
    • A mischievous youngster
    • A brave young fellow
    • A kid that looks different from his siblings

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Written by Norman Darlo

54 Comments

  4. 6 out of 11! Well, that is surprise. I was born in Serbia and have never lived anywhere else. I swear I don’t know any Irish, just used some logic to answer. Still, for many of those sentences I have no idea what they mean 😀

  8. I thought I may get more right than I actually did, tut-tut. Being one-eighth Irish I have let my dearest great-grandmother down. Where do you get some of those weird expressions from though? I guess only in Ireland ‘ey?

  16. Oh my gosh. After living on top of Ireland’s 32 (bar or pub) for years I would have thought I could do better than 4. I should have paid a wee bit more attention.