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"Jayzus"
A note on blasphemy
While it is normal to hear casual use of the name and title of Jesus Christ, you won't generally hear the Irish abusing the word "God" for example, "God damn," "God dammit," etc. .
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Piss
"Getting pissed," in Ireland as in broader Europe, is "getting drunk." This is an important distinction, as the phrase has different meaning in American. If you want to talk about anger, you should use the full American term "pissed off."
An important use of the word "piss," in European-English, is "taking the
piss." "Are you taking the piss?" means "are you being
sarcastic? (ironic, etc.)" To "take the piss out of
(someone)" is to lampoon them, or satirize them. It is also a way to say you took advantage of a situation, or acted cleverly in a devious way. You took the piss, getting paid for hours that you spent not working. The phrase is used broadly [& in various ways] in European English, but unheard in American. At least, I never heard it in America.
Cunt
"Cunt," in Irish-English, is the same as it is in Euro-English. Its primary use is vulgar, but not obscene. It is not primarily a rude term for "vagina" nor "bad woman," and its subject is usually not feminine at all. "Cunt" is just an irreverent way of refering to a fellow.
The word may also be used in adjectival form "Cuntin'."
Arse
"Arse," the Euro-English word for "Ass," has its own
usages in Irish English:
| Irish-English |
American |
| Arsewise |
Screwed-up |
| Can't be arsed |
Can't be bothered |
| Rat-arsed |
Very drunk |
Hole
"Hole" is a common vulgarity in Ireland.
| Irish-English |
American |
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In me hole
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Not a chance; you must be joking
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Also used in the form "x, me hole," where "x" = the statement contradicted.
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Did you get your hole?
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Did you get laid?
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"Nat King Cole," in rhyming slang or, for short, "Nat."
"Did you get your Nat?" Irish English is not sexy.
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Pain in the hole
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Pain in the ass
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[Couldn't] bother [one's] hole
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Couldn't be bothered
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Scratchin' me hole
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Standing around with nothing to do
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Fuck
Of course, the principal swearword in the English language is "fuck" and, naturally, the Irish have many unique ways of using it.
| Irish-English |
American | |
| A fucker for _ |
Pretty devoted to _ | "... a fucker for the drink..." |
| Fuck-off [adj.] |
Fuckin,' | "... a big old fuck-off hat..." |
| Fuck's sake | | The same in U.S., but less common |
Fuck it [out*]
| Chuck it [out] | *Out, over the fence, etc. |
| [Hurry up,] the fuck | [Hurry] the fuck [up] | |
| Thanks be to fuck | Thankfully | |
| Can't be fucked [with it] | Can't be bothered [with it] | Also, "can't be arsed." |
| You will in your fuck | You will not. | See also "I will in me bollocks." |
| Effin' and blindin' | Really cursing in anger, and with conviction | Normally considered "ignorant." | |