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There is little of the Irish language extant.
Aside from linguistic influences and grammatical features, a few bits of the old vocabulary are all that remain.
800 years* of oppression, y' know y'rself...
Bog Restroom, toilet, loo, the jacks. The word refers metaphorically to historic use of bogs for the purpose. Properly, the facility is called an leithreas.
Bóithrín Small roadway; diminutive form of bóthar (road.)
Craic (pronounced "crack," and often spelled so) An idiomatic term for describing experience in various ways: "great craic," "what's the craic?," "how's the craic?"
Crúibín (pronounced "crew bean") Pig's foot. The term "crew beans" might sound like a euphemism, but it's not.
Fáilte Welcome. Used in tourism and on doormats.
Gaeltacht a delineation of areas in which Irish is an important language in daily life. "The Gaeltacht" refers to the Gaelic-speaking whole although its components are divided into small enclaves mostly in the west.
Gaol Jail.
Guards The police.
Omadhaun (n.) Fool
Póg mo thóin Kiss my ass.
Poitín A beverage distilled from one of several accepted ingredients.
Shillelagh Traditional walking stick. Use of the term may refer to naïve American tourists.
Sláinte "Cheers" (over a drink.) Literally, "health."
Sliotar (pronounced "slitter") The small hard ball used in the Gaelic sport hurling and the women's equivalent camogie.
Tuig (pronounced "twig") To grasp, to comprehend.
Whiskey
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"800 years of oppression" is a common trope amongst the Irish, and refers to British imperial domination. The Anglo/Cambro-Normans landed in the southeast in 1169.
↑ Return to "you know y'rself"...
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