What is Irish slang for friend?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 25, 2026
Mucker. Mate, pal, friend.
What is the Celtic word for friendship?
Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and cara is the word for friend. So anam cara in the Celtic world was the “soul friend.” In the early Celtic church, a person who acted as a teacher, companion, or spiritual guide was called an anam cara.
What do Irish guys call their girlfriends?
Mot – Girlfriend, wife, or any other kind of romantic female partner. Dote – If someone calls you a 'dote' or if something is 'dotey', it means you're cute, adorable, etc.
What is Irish slang for girl?
“Cailín” means “girl” in the Irish language. A lot of Irish people still use this word even when speaking in English. The plural, “Cailíní,” is also commonly used, for example, “I'm meeting up with the cailíní later on.”
What is a gaffer in Ireland?
Irish Slang Word #20: Gaffer
Commonly used in the UK and Ireland, a gaffer is colloquially termed as one's boss, your 'old man', or a foreman.
19 related questions foundWhat is a fanny in Ireland?
fanny (countable and uncountable, plural fannies) (Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, vulgar) The female genitalia. [
What is the most Irish thing to say?
Here are 15 Irish expressions to break out on St. Paddy's Day:
- May the road rise up to meet you. ...
- Sláinte! ...
- What's the craic? ...
- May the cat eat you, and may the devil eat the cat. ...
- Two people shorten the road. ...
- Story horse? ...
- On me tod. ...
- Acting the maggot.
How do the Irish say OK?
Grand (an iconic bit of Irish slang) Grand means OK. You'll hear it most commonly used as a response to, 'How's it going'/'How are you feeling?
What is a yoke Irish slang?
In Irish slang, the word 'yoke' doesn't have anything to do with eggs. Instead, it's another way of saying 'thing'. So if someone in Ireland sees an object that they've never seen before, they will commonly be heard to ask, 'What's that yoke there? ' Example: 'Can you pass me that yoke you use to wipe the windscreen?
What is an Irish person called?
The adjective is "Irish", and the noun is "Irishman", "Irishwoman", or "Irish person", with the collective form "the Irish".
What is the Irish name for love?
'Grá' is the Irish word for love
For example, the word for love is 'grá,' and in some contexts, it is spelled 'ghrá.
What does Astor mean in Irish?
Asthore is one word that came into prominent use during the Irish literary renaissance. It stems from the Gaelic word stōr, which means "treasure."
What is fun in Irish slang?
One of the more well-known Irish words or phrases is craic (pronounced crack). Craic is a central pillar of Irish culture. Before we go any further, it's important to understand the concept of craic. Put simply, craic means fun.
What does Cara mean in Irish?
It is of Latin, Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning of Cara is "beloved; friend".
What is the meaning of a Chara?
a chara (plural a chairde) dear (formal or informal way of addressing the recipient in a letter's opening line)
What is a soul friend?
The term has come to mean a deep and special friendship, one that cannot be broken or wounded or limited by distance, as these two individuals have been united at the level of the soul.
What is a shift kiss?
I am, of course, referring to Maura Higgins and her stint on Love Island. In keeping with the show's promise of romantic encounters, one of the terms she has used, and the one which has garnered the most attention, has been 'shift', meaning to kiss.
What do the Irish call a man?
Jackeen is an Irish insult with an English origin. The noun Jack has been used to refer generally to a man, and especially an ill-mannered or obnoxious fellow, since at least the 1600s.
What does wee skitter mean?
Skitter: An annoying or untrustworthy person. May be used offhandedly or affectionately when describing a child eg "Go on, you wee skitter". Alternatively it may be used to describe diarrhoea. From: Sally Kelly.
Is Feck a swear word?
The most popular and widespread modern use of the term is as a slang expletive in Irish English, employed as a less serious alternative to the expletive "fuck" to express disbelief, surprise, pain, anger, or contempt.
Is Shenanigans an Irish word?
Shenanigans
An Irish-American favourite, it certainly sounds as if it derives from Irish, but its origins are unknown. There's a theory that it comes from “sionnach”, as in fox – perhaps to be sly or devious, or to mess around.
What are some cool Irish words?
15 of the most beautiful Irish words you'll ever hear
- Aisling (Ash-ling) — A vision, dream, apparition. ...
- Banaltra na cuaiche (banaltra na queecha) — The meadow pipit. ...
- Inisfáil (Inish fall) — Island of destiny, or Ireland. ...
- Leannán (lan-awn) — Lover. ...
- Madra Rua. — Red dog, fox. ...
- Mo chroidhe (mo cree) ...
- Muckanaghederdauhaulia. ...
- Ólta.
What should you not say in Ireland?
10 Things Tourists Should Never Say in Ireland
- “I'm Irish”
- Quizzing about potatoes.
- Anything about an Irish car bomb.
- “Top of the morning to you”
- “Everything is better in… (insert large city)”
- “St Patty's Day”
- “Do you know so-and-so from…”
- “I love U2”
What do the Irish say when someone dies?
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
What does wains mean in Ireland?
Wain: A child or young person. Watch yourself: Take care. Wile: Very or terrible. Informal Northern Irish adjective of late 19th century origin, meaning very or wild.