14 phrases and sayings you’re likely to hear in Northern Ireland
"Well what's the craic?"
Whether you are in the middle of Belfast, on a weekend hike in the Mournes or visiting the Giant's Causeway at the north coast the 'Norn Iron' lingo isn't the most straight forward of languages to understand sometimes. However we love it!
We wanted to share our glorious dialect far and wide and have decided to take a look and explain some classic slang that will help overseas visitors understand what on earth we are talking about. These words and phrases aren't all new, but it may be that you've not heard of some of these before. These will only make sense if you're from here., how many of the list did you know or do you use?
Wind yer neck in
Calm down, usually said to somebody who is over-excited or boasting about something
Up to high doh
Stressed out
Bout ye?
An informal way of asking how you are
Ascared
Afraid
Scundered
Embarrassed
Foundered
I'm cold
Buck eejit
Acting like an idiot
Poke
An ice-cream
Dead on
That's fine
Gurn
Cry, moan or complain about something
Wee
Small
Dander
Go for a walk
Boggin’
Dirty
Banjaxed
Broken beyond repair
How can I listen to Cool FM?
Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Cool FM app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning, to the NI’s biggest songs on Cool FM’s Most Wanted 7@7 every evening.
Download the Cool FM app for iOS
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Now read more Northern Ireland content:
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10 stunning castles you should visit in Northern Ireland
9 Game of Thrones filming locations worth visiting in Northern Ireland