Despite the fact that Dubliners primarily speak English, Irish culture has made its mark on the language. With Gaelic phrases intertwined into greetings and hundreds of new meanings attached to words that would mean something different anywhere else in the world.
Here's some common phrases you should brush up on before you leave below.
"What's the craic?”
"What's the craic?”
When somebody says this common Irish greeting to you, they're asking how you're doing or to find out if something's going on. The Gaelic word craic (pronounced 'crack') can mean any number of things ranging from gossip to a fun event. You'll probably get a different answer regarding exactly what it means depending on who you're asking.
It's a very casual way of greeting someone and you're likely to hear it a few times while in Dublin.
Example: A: What's the craic? B: It's going alright, thanks.
"It'll be grand."
Grand takes on a slightly different meaning when in Ireland. When someone says something is 'grand', it actually means that whatever they're referring to is okay or fine.
Example A: How was the pub last night? B: It was grand.
"Slaínte!"
"Slaínte!"
If you're planning to head to Ireland for St. Patrick's Day, or want to grab a pint at an Irish pub, this phrase is quintessential. Pronounced slahn-cheh, the word originally means health in Gaelic and is used in a similar way to 'Cheers!' in English.
"Your man/Your one"
Another interesting turn of phrase. Your man refers to any man - even if you don't know them. The same goes for 'your one', but this refers specifically to a woman. Used frequently to refer to somebody in the context of a story, it's similar to saying 'that guy' or 'that woman'.
Example: Your man at the counter gave me the wrong change.
"Give out"
When someone 'gives out' to somebody, it means that they're telling them off for something they've done. You definitely want to avoid being the brunt of the scolding, especially from an Irish Mammy.
Example: My neighbours gave out to me for how loud the party was last night.
"Scarlet"
Used to literally describe the colour of a humiliated flush. When someone says that they're 'scarlet', they're saying that they're very embarrassed. If someone you know has done something pretty embarrassing, you can also say that you're scarlet for them.
Example: I was scarlet after I spilled my wine all over him.
"Got any fags on you?"
"Got any fags on you?"
Don't be alarmed - the word fag takes on a different meaning in Irish and British slang. Fags refer to cigarettes in Ireland, and while occasionally people may use the word in a nastier context, it's mainly understood to mean cigarettes.
Example: I've got a couple of fags left.
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