Top Irish Sayings and Phrases

Jesus H MurphyAll Ireland

A light exclamation of shock or exasperation, for when plain Jesus won't cover it. Stretch it to Jesus Murphy O'Toole for real emergencies.

Jesus H Murphy, would ye look at the price of a pint in dat place!

Ah sure you know yourselfAll Ireland

The all purpose Irish closer. Means everything, explains nothing, ends the conversation.

How's tings at home?" "Ah sure look, ya know yerself.

I wouldn't start from hereAll Ireland

Traditional Irish directions for a lost stranger. Helpful in spirit only.

Ballybunion, is it? Well now, if I was goin' to Ballybunion I wouldn't start from here at all.

Throwin shapesCork +1

Making Funny Noises And Movements.

Wud ja stop trowin shapes at yer brasser across the road, Ya Gimp

Ah he would be yaAll Ireland

Sarcastic agreement that means the exact opposite: not a hope.

He says he's givin' up de drink for Lent." "Ah he would be, ya.

Dem lotDublin

Them. That crowd over there. The Dublin plural, filed alongside yer man and yer wan.

I'm not sittin' wit dem lot, dey ate all de sangwiches last time.

Ya big paganAll Ireland

A granny's scolding for anyone acting up, skipping Mass or generally carrying on like they were never baptised. Said with more love than it sounds.

Up out of dat bed for Mass, ya big pagan.

If we weren't alive we'd be deadAll Ireland

Deep Irish philosophy for funerals, bus stops and bad news. Unanswerable, which is the point.

Ah sure look, as de fella says, if we weren't alive we'd be dead.

Says he/says ITipperary

I said/he said but used at the end of the sentence!

Are ya headin out tonight says he no I'm feckin not with you says I

He's a bit of a characterAll Ireland

Polite Irish for: he is very odd and you should keep an eye on him. Also: he's an interesting lad.

Yer man next door? Ah he's a bit of a character alright. He hoovers de lawn.

The very boyDerry

That's the one. Said when somebody finally names the person or thing you were trying to think of.

Who was it fixed the roof? Big Paddy? The very boy.

Yer manDublin +3

That fella; a man whose name you don't know or won't say, or one you both know. Also spelt your man.

Did you hear yermann from Aerlingus bought Man Utd for ten grand?

I will yeahCork

Sarcastic expression, used to tell someone that you will not perform the requested task.

Will you tidy your room? I will yeah!

Swinging JesusAll Ireland

An exclamation of alarm or disbelief. Roughly: oh bloody hell.

Swingin' Jaysus, who left de gate open? De cows are halfway to Mullingar!

I'm not having a goAll Ireland

The preface used immediately before having a go.

I'm not havin' a go at ya now, but dat's de worst lasagne I ever ate.

It'll be grandAll Ireland

National policy. Applied to every problem from a flat tyre to the end of the world, ideally with a cup of tea.

De roof's leakin', de car's banjaxed and de dog ate de rent. Ah sure have a cup of tea, it'll be grand.

I'll let you goRoscommon

A polite way of ending a telephone call or conversation.

Here, I'll let you go.

Ah sure look it could be worseAll Ireland

The Irish father's answer to every problem. Technically always true.

De car's written off and de insurance ran out Tuesday. Ah sure look, it could be worse.

How's she cuttin'?Monaghan +22

A common greeting in Monaghan and Cavan, equivalent to hello or how are you.

How's she cuttin'?

He means wellAll Ireland

Irish for: he is a disaster, but a sincere one.

He painted de kitchen orange while we were away. Ah, he means well.

With all due respectAll Ireland

Said right before an insult, making sure the person is due none.

Wit all due respect, Father, ya couldn't referee a game of Snap.

Now in a whileAll Ireland

At some point. Possibly today. Possibly never. Do not wait in.

I'll do de dishes now in a while, Mam.

That's catLouth

Terrible, awful or catastrophic in nature.

That weather's cat isn't it?

Hows the craicCork

A form of greeting meaning how are you.

Hows the craic?

Feck offAll Ireland

Go away. Also a friendly way of saying "you're joking" when someone tells you something hard to believe.

Feck off ya chancer, there's no feckin way ya won the county lotto?

Stop the lightsCork +4

An exclamation of utter disbelief, astonishment, or shock.

Ah stop the lights girl, you never told me she eloped with the butcher!

Leg itTipperary +3

To run very fast or make a hasty departure.

G'wan, Johnny, and leg it in dat race before de ould fella catches yeh!

God love himAll Ireland

Pity and a put down in one breath. Like the American 'bless his heart', only with more rosary beads.

He tried to fix de boiler himself, God love him. De fire brigade were very nice about it.

Give my head peaceAntrim

Leave me alone; stop going on at me. Belfast's answer to nagging.

Ach away and give my head peace, I'm watchin' de match.

Isn't that the wayAll Ireland

A shrug in words. Said when things go wrong and there's nothing to be done, usually straight after ah sure look.

Missed de bus by a minute and den it started lashin'. Ah sure look, isn't dat de way.