Happy St. Patrick’s Day! We want to help you be an expert in Irish slang, put these words to use and enjoy this fun festivity!
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Shamrock:
Something very characteristic of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day are clovers, also called shamrocks. This name originated from the Irish word seamróg, and they are a widely known sign for Ireland! They’re considered to bring you luck, especially a four-leaved clover!
“For the St. Patrick’s Day Party I’m going to paint a shamrock on my face.”
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Lad:
When talking to an Irish person, you might notice they use the word “lad” quite often. With this word they are referring to a male friend or a young man.
“Tonight I’m going to have some pints with the lads”
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Pint:
One of the first things Irish people do in St. Patrick’s Day is going to a pub and having a pint, which means a 475ml glass of draught beer.
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Craic:
What’s the craic? Meaning “What’s up?” is a commonly used phrase in the Irish communities. Craic means something new, good or entertaining times, so if someone asks you “What’s the craic” they want to know what has been happening in your life lately!
“What’s the craic John?”
“Not much, I’m still learning how to play the fiddle!”
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Leprechaun:
If you find the hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, you are probably going to find a leprechaun right beside it. A Leprechaun is a fairy creature that appears in Irish tales, described as a short, bearded man dressed in green that has the magical powers of grating wishes, and hides his coins in a pot at the end of the rainbow.
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Stout:
If someone orders a stout at a pub, it means they want a dark, strong beer made of roasted malts. Stouts are easily found in Irish pubs, breweries and taverns, and they are characterized by being the strongest beer produced.
“What are you drinking?”
“I’m drinking a pint of stout.”
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Fiddle:
The Irish name for a violin is a fiddle. In the Irish culture, the fiddle is one of the main instruments used in the creation of folk, the traditional music. You might hear a lot of Irish tunes and folk music in pubs during St. Patrick’s Day.
Gabriela Garcia
