21 sayings you'll only understand if you're Irish

Melia Robinson,Amy Daire,Erin McDowellMar 15, 2024, 22:27 IST

The Irish have a number of unique sayings and words.Charles Platiau/Reuters

The Irish are known in the US for their quick speaking and heavy accents.
They've also got a few unique phrases and words, like "craic" and "eejits."

Not only does Ireland have amazing scenery, incredible sights, and notoriously fun citizens, but the people also have a certain way with words.

The Irish are known in the US for their quick speaking and heavy accents, but they've also got a few out-of-the-box phrases that are worth noting. Sadly, if you aren't from Ireland or of Irish descent, you probably haven't heard half of them.

Irish slang isn't just for fun either — utilizing words like "craic," which means fun, or "grand," which means good, can be effective in marketing your business to Irish people abroad and in the US.

We rounded up 21 Irish sayings — and what they really mean.

"What's the craic?" might sound confusing but, in Ireland, it's another way to ask how someone is.

People drinking beer wearing St. Patrick's Day costumes.Pressmaster/Shutterstock

The Irish saying "away with the fairies" is used when someone isn't facing reality or is living in la-la land.

An Irish sports fan wearing face paint.Reuters

In the Emerald Isle, if your friends are getting rowdy or making a fool of themselves, you'd say they are "acting the maggot."

A woman at a St. Patrick's Day parade.Tristan Fewings/Getty Images

"On me tod" translates to "on my own."

An Irish landscape.Noradoa/Shutterstock

"Look at the state o' you!" implies that a person's attire, personal hygiene, intoxication level, or general demeanor is worrisome.

A drunk man passed out behind his beer at a bar.Zoriana Zaitseva/Shutterstock

People will often say they or their friends are "as happy as Larry" when they have no worries or cares in the world.

A person dressed up for St. Patrick's Day.Scott Barbour/Getty Images

"What's the story, horse?" — abbreviated as "story horse?" — is how you ask a buddy what's up.

A person kissing the Blarney Stone.Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock

"What eejits" is basically another way of saying "what fools" or "what idiots."

People packed into Dublin's popular Temple Bar area to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.Charles McQuillan/Getty Images.

"Sure you know yourself" essentially means "you understand" or "it's up to you."

The countryside of Killarney, Ireland.Shutterstock

"Take your point and the goals will come" is usually used when referring to sports.

Irish sports fans.Charles Platiau/Reuters

A mischievous child or person might be described as "suffering from a double dose of original sin."

A person picking an apple off a tree.Miguel Villagran/Getty Images

An attractive person might be referred to as a "fine thing."

A woman toasting wine at dinner.Southworks/Shutterstock

Eventually, you might also make a "fine thing" your "mot."

People holding hands.Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

"'Tis only a stepmother would blame you" basically means "don't worry about it."

Irish sports fans.Alex Grimm/Getty Images

"Sucking diesel" means reaping the rewards of hard work.

A person counting money in their wallet.Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images

A loved one may say "may the road rise up to meet you" on your wedding day.

An Irish couple getting married.Alex Vog/Shutterstock

"Your son is your son today, but your daughter is your daughter forever" is one of the more misogynistic sayings.

Dublin, Ireland.Getty Images

You order a pint of "black stuff" at the bar.

Guiness beer on table.Frantisekf/Shutterstock

A "chancer" is a slightly insulting way to describe someone who's unafraid to take risks.

A person walking on a tightrope.Alexander Shcherbak/Getty

"Delira and excira" means "delighted and excited."

Ireland fans at the Rugby World Cup on September 27, 2015.Andrew Couldridge/Reuters

Whatever you do, don't let an Irish person catch you calling St. Patrick's Day "St. Patty's Day."

A person wearing shamrock sunglasses.Natacha Pisarenko/AP

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