37 iconic Northern Irish phrases you gotta know to fit in
How many do you use on the daily? 🤣
The Northern Irish accent is often associated with warmth, humour, and friendliness.
However, it can also be difficult for some people to understand, especially if they're not familiar with the accent.
We've managed to invent our vocabulary of slang words and phrases. The trick is not to panic when someone asks if you’d like a 'poke' or 'what's the craic,' this is completely normal.
You just need to learn a few of the most iconic quips to help keep those awkward situations at bay.
Check out this handy guide to all things Northern Irish slang 👇
Craic/Craics 90
"What's the craic"
One of our most popular phrases, otherwise known as fun. When the 'craic is 90' you know you're in for a good night!
Wee (very popular)
"What about a wee cuppa?"
You will hear this EVERYWHERE...it goes with EVERYTHING!
Houl yer whisht
"Houl yer whist, I'm trying to listen to the TV"
If someone says this to you, they're politely telling you to shut up.
Boys a dear
"That's crazy, boys a dear"
Usually said when something shocking happens, as another way of exclamation.
Bout ye’
"Right lad, bout ye"
If someone doesn't greet you with 'what's the craic,' they'll probably say 'bout ye.' This translate to how are things going.
Steamin
"I don't know about you, but I was steamin last night"
One of our many phrases for being drunk.
Jammy sod
"That jammy sod just won the Cool FM Downtown Cash Call!'
This is how you would describe someone that is very lucky.
Scundered
"I can't believe they did that, I'm scundered"
This one has a couple of meanings, so in Belfast if you were scundered you would be embarrassed, but in mid-Ulster it means 'annoyed' or 'frustrated.'
Faffin
"Will you stop faffin about!"
A word used to describe messing around/procrastinating – doing something without actually do it.
Dead on
"He seems dead on"
We use this to describe someone that's a generally good-natured person. This can also be quite a sarcastic remark, if you don't want to do something, you'd say 'aye dead on' then roll your eyes.
Yarn
"Sure call round about 6, and we'll have a yarn and catch up"
Another colloquialism for a long chat.
Kex
"I'm doing a wash, throw me your kex"
Also known as underwear.
Some yoke
"That's some yoke"
This can be used to describe pretty much anything – cars, houses, phones etc
Melter
"I can't cope, they're such a melter"
Someone that is particularly annoying – also known as a melt.
Keep ‘er lit
"Keep er lit fellas"
This can be used as a way to encourage people and to keep energy levels up.
Eejit
"Would you look at that eejit"
An eejit, or buck eejit is someone silly, who will make you laugh.
Baltic
"It's pure baltic out there"
The weather is freezing, best to stay inside.
Wee buns
"I could do that in my sleep, wee buns"
Wee buns suggests that something is really easy.
Foundered
"Mate, I'm heading home, I'm foundered out here"
If someone is foundered, they're freezing cold.
Up to high doh
"I haven't slept a wink, my nerves are up to high doh"
This means stressed beyond belief.
Aye
"Aye, go on then"
A simple yes!
Here bees me
"Here bees me, catch yourself on"
You might overhear this phrase in the city, but this is another way of saying "I said."
Born in a field
"Close that door, were you born in a field?"
More than likely used when someone leaves the door open to a room, causing a draft. Barely makes sense, but everyone says it.
Boggin’
"That weather is pure boggin"
Typically means disgusting!
Taps ‘aff
"It's taps 'aff weather lads"
Usually used between April-July, when the weather is above 13 degrees, you'll spot men strutting around with their taps (tops) off.
Banter
"Last night was such banter"
Another way of describing great craic – a right laugh.
Catch yourself on
"It's supposed to snow? Catch yourself on!"
In other words, don't be so ridiculous!
Dander
"Fancy a dander?"
Something a lot of us have been doing lately - a dander is another term for a walk.
Courtin’
"What fella are ya courtin' this weekend?"
This gives us major Bridgerton vibes...but if you're courtin' someone, you're dating them.
I tell a lie
"Sorry, I tell a lie"
Used when you've said something wrong – so you admit to it and continue on.
Gurning
"Will you quit your gurning!"
Basically this means to stop complaining or giving off.
Yeo
"Yeo"
For some, this is an automatic reaction to hearing exciting news.
Wind yer neck in
"You better wind your neck in"
Another way of telling someone they should shut up.
Here’s me wha?
"They told me it would cost £100, here's me wha?"
Typically used as a sign of shock, that someone is in disbelief at something.
So it is
"The weather is supposed to pick up later this week, so it is"
This can seem like a strange one to anyone visiting, but we tend to just stick this phrase at the end of random sentences. There isn't much meaning!
Poke
"I can't wait until the wee van comes round, I'm dying for a poke"
A timeless classic – this means ice cream. A typical poke would be soft whipped ice cream, in a wafer cone, topped off with a chocolate flake/raspberry sauce.
Ats us nai
"Ats us nai folks"
Used primarily after something has been accomplished!
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