We Irish have a funny way with words. Sometimes we use words that normally mean something entirely different and give them a new meaning.
And other times, we make words up completely. There are almost endless examples of how the Irish have put their own spin on the English language, sometimes even incorporating Gaeilge into our everyday language with words like craic and sláinte.
Here are some common words and phrases that would confuse anyone who isn't Irish.
I don't have a scooby
The phrase "I don't have a scooby" will definitely confuse someone who didn't grow up in Ireland. The longer form of this is "I don't have a scooby doo", which rhymes with "I don't have a clue, which is what this phrase means.
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Cup of scald
This one is more so heard in Dublin and refers to a cup of tea.
Shift
Shift is one of the many words we Irish use for kissing. It's more heard among young people in nightclubs looking for the shift, as in French kissing.
Locked
Perhaps perpetuating stereotypes with this one, but this is one of the many words Irish people use to describe themselves as drunk. Other words like this you might hear binned and hammered'.
A few scoops
If someone in Ireland asks you if you want to go to the pub for a couple of pints, they might ask you if you fancy a few scoops?.
Yoke
When an Irish person refers to something as a yoke, it's simply just a thing.
How's she cuttin'?
Irish people have many ways of asking you how you are. One of them is "How's she cuttin'?".
The jacks
The jacks is the toilet. It is more so used to refer to the men's room, but it will sometimes also be used by women to refer to the ladies' room.
Sambo
Fancy a crisp sambo? Or perhaps a ham and cheese sambo? If you haven't guessed already, sambo refers to a sandwich.
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