'Dublinese' the most delectable dialect in the world. In my humble opinion the beauty of the so called Dublinese language is it’s application in almost any scenario you may find yourself in throughout your life. Hopefully by the end of this article you will have enough Dublinese to get you started on your journey in blending in while you spend your time galivanting throughout the big shmoke.
Greetings
Howya – the most casual dublinese phrase and one that you can put your own spin on to make it your own! Why not throw a random name of a mammal at the end of the phrase to spice it up a bit? howya Horse is definitely the most common way we greet each other using this phrase but why not shake it up even more and use Howya Boss? Or even Howya sham? Certainly one of the most flexible phrases, and, although I have given you three practical examples why not put your own twist on it?
What’s the john dory? This is one of my personal favourites. Using the name of a fish to greet somebody really sums up what Dublin is all about to me.
Any Craic? Not to be confused by the lethal drug crack cocaine, if a person from Dublin asks you if there is any craic? Although you may think he is requesting an illegal substance he is only asking how you’re getting on today. So please don’t run away although no one could really blame you.
Any odds? This is a vintage Dublin greeting, often used by people of a certain age who wouldn’t be a stranger to the entrance of their nearest bet-making establishment. There is no correct response to this greeting, just be kind as the person greeting you this way is probably on a 5-minute break from his horse racing viewing and almost certainly has a stake on the virtual blackjack table, so all in all, a busy man.
Alri horse? This will be followed by a request for two euro to access hostel services across the city (it is likely the hostel will be closed when you are greeted by this person)
Howya buddy/bud? The person greeting you with this phrase will more than likely not be your friend and it will in all likelihood be the most aggressive way anyone has ever greeted you before, however he probably means well, I hope.
What’s the story Rory? Your name in all likelihood is not Rory, however they mean well.
Farewells
Talk cha later! Don’t be mistaken in thinking that I have misspelled ‘to you’ with ‘cha’ that would be a rookie error and one that will certainly have any Dub worth his salt frown upon you for the very mention of him being grammatically astute! Probably the most casual farewell you can go with and one you can even say as you’re in the middle of walking away.
Get outta me face ya dope! Although this sounds like an insult, this is often how we say goodbye to our closest friends/family members.
Talk cha horse! The affection Dubs have with horses is truly one that must be marvelled by all outsiders.
G’luck to ya! This is often the goodbye you give at the end of an unpleasant interaction and is often followed by many murmurs under the breath preaching your displeasure at the person you just interacted with to nobody but yourself.
Complements
You’re bleedin’ unreal! Will often be said at 2:30am outside of many a drinking establishment across the Fair City. Results may vary as to how ‘Stunnin’ the person may be though.
You’re some head! Means you’re funny
You’re bleedin’ mad! Not actually insane but you do like the craic.
Some lad for ih! Means you don’t shy away from trying new things!
Some skin that fella! Means you’re an honest trustworthy character.
Insults
He’s some bag of ham that fella! Means the man in question makes frequent mistakes and is as solid as a
proverbial Bag of ham.
You’re nannies on the glue! Insinuates that the persons grandmother has an affliction to sniffing the containers of glue products.
Your ma is your da, and your da is your ma! Insinuates that your mother and father have swapped genders and you have been the unfortunate victim in this grand charade they have been playing on you your whole life.
Your sister is on the game! They’re insinuating your sibling sells her body for profit on the streets of Dublin.
You’ve a head like a slapped arse! They are insinuating here that you are in fact mildly disfigured.
Scarlet for your ma having ya and scarlet for your nanny having your ma This insult speaks for itself and doesn’t really need much explaining.
Get outta me face before I lump ya! To be lumped in Dublin will involve the application of a blunt weapon to some part of your face.
You’ve a head like a coddle! Again, the person is once again making a comment on your physical appearance.
Ya bleedin tic ya! ‘Tic’ can be perceived in multiple different contexts here
Get de boat and float! In all likelihood there will be no water vessels near you to in fact get on the said boat.
They are the basic Dublin slang phrases that you can use to blend in with the Dublin Natives and hopefully in a few months’ time you’ll have added all the phrases listed above to your vernacular and become a Dublin linguistical expert.
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