{"id":4417,"date":"2019-04-26T05:49:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-26T05:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/overinireland.com\/?p=4417"},"modified":"2019-07-25T09:05:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-25T09:05:04","slug":"best-irish-curses-and-insults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/best-irish-curses-and-insults\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Hilarious Irish Insults and Curse Words to Know Before Visiting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like any good traveler, learning a few native words before landing is a good way to start a conversation with locals. In Ireland, it is all about the craic<\/em>, and kicks in the eye are part of everyday chats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swearing\nis an essential component of the Irish culture and, every generation genuinely\nembraces this heritage. For years, the Church deprived its people from exteriorising their\nfrustration by banning any type of outrage. Cursing became a new way to embody\nboth religious detachment and freedom. What you believe is vulgar and offensive\nis actually poetic, engaging and creative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have an authentic experience of the Eire land, and practice the following 30 best Irish insults to know before visiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"picture<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

#1 \n Kiss my ass<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Let us start our series with a straightforward\nresponse to boorishness: \u2018Pog muh hone,\u2019 written \u201cP\u00f3g mo Th\u00f3in!\u201d It is the most\nfamous Irish insult and, all around the country, you will find t-shirts, mugs\nand key hangers with the Irish version of “kiss my ass” printed on.\nIt is also the title of the polemical yet fascinating English\/Irish slang\ndictionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quirky\nfact:<\/strong> They were also the last words of Robert Gleason Jr,\nan Irish\/American criminal, before his execution<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2  He Needs a Good Kick in the Arse!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cCic Maith Sa T\u00f3in At\u00e1 De Dl\u00edth Air\u201d is a way\nto express that a person lacks personality and only behaves to satisfy others. Uttered\n\u00ab kick mot sa hone ata dje dee air\u00bb, it can also be translated as: \u201che\nneeds a good kick in the bum\u201d or \u201che needs to twig.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3  Isn\u2019t she the b*tch?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This curse\nliterally translates as \u201cNach \u00ed An Bitseach \u00ed.\u201d Sounding like \u201cknock e an vit\nshock e,\u201d this turn of phrase is an implicit and deceitful manner to scorn\nsomeone. It is also an indirect way to get information on someone else\u2019s intentions:\n\u201cis she being bitchie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4  Don\u2019t Bullsh*t me!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A hard one\nto remember \u201cN\u00e1 B\u00ed Ag Iarraidh Cluain An Chacamais A Chur Orm\u201d but if you do,\nyou will impress a lot of locals! Transcribed as \u2018naaa be ag era cloon a\nhawk-a-meesh a hurrr uram,\u2019 it precisely implies: \u201cDon\u2019t be wanting to put the\nshit of the bull on me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5   We are f*cked! <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Transliterated \u201cToimid ee Son an Kakameesh aa Nesh,\u201d\nit means \u2018We are trapped in the crap\u2019 and is a simple interpretation of \u201cwe are\nf*cked!\u201d Although the Irish language has no word for \u201cf*ck,\u201d in this context,\nthe previous translation is the closest to English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are\nplanning to watch a game in a pub and your team is losing, \u201cT\u00e1imid i S\u00e1inn an\nChacamais Anois\u201d is a good one to keep in mind. A little long? No one will\nblame you if you carry a crib in your pocket. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6   I Don\u2019t Give a F*ck!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

‘Is cuma\nsa toll feisithe liomsa,\u201d sounds as \u2018Is coma saa toll feishi halomsa’ and is a\nswearing way to express your lack of interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7   Go Sideways on Yourself!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cGabh transna ort fh\u00e9in,\u201d pronounced \u201cGof trass na orth hayn,\u201d is a curse\nthat is unique to Ireland. Literally translated as \u201cgoing sideways on oneself\u201d,\nit is the most resentful manner to tell someone to \u2018go f*ck oneself.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two other friendlier\napproaches would be \u201cGabh suas ort fh\u00e9in,\u201d  \u2018take up upon yourself\u2019 or “Gabh s\u00edos ort\nfh\u00e9in,” \u2018go down on yourself.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8 \nMay Donkey\nSh*t Be Upon You!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Comparing\na human to an animal in Ireland is one of the nastiest things you can say. A\ndonkey is probably the worst analogy (alongside an ape). \u201cCac asail ort,\u201d rightly\npronounced \u2018Aa guess cak assole (\u2018asshole\u2019 without H) urt (\u2018hurt\u2019 without H)\u2019\nmeans \u2018May donkey sh*t be upon you.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, we\nlet you imagine what it sounds like to hear such a thing in the Emerald Isle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9  Sl*t!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Let us make it simpler and focus on bad words instead\nof full sentences: \u201cR\u00e1icleach\u201d uttered \u201cAa Raaak lock\u201d mainly relates to cruel\nfemales and witches. Nowadays, it is also a way to describe a loose woman with\ncontroversial morals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You would\nuse \u201cstriapach,\u201d pronounced \u2018Aa streapock,\u2019 to qualify someone as a\n\u2018prostitute\u2019 or more affectively a \u201cwhore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10 Gobshite!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChacsmuit\u00edn\u201d\nphonated \u201cahaak smuitjeen\u201d describes a stupid person with a blabbermouth. A\ncharacter who forces absurd and unsolicited conversations. Let just say that a\ngobshite will not be your first choice for an evening en t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#11   Bollocks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Here in Ireland, you can either say \u201cye bollix\u2019 or \u201cmagarlach\u201d(pronounced\n\u2018magar lock\u201d). It is a more sympathetic term to say \u2018bullshit\u2019 and the casual\ndialect for \u2018nonsense.\u2019 A friendly manner to show disbelief by mocking off. In\nIrish, it denotes something worthless or silly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 \u201cYou bollox\u201d or \u201cA mhagarlaich\u201d(\u2018aa marga\nlee\u201d) is also common and is an offensive, yet warm-hearted, phrase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#12   Prick!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Usually\nused against an abhorrent and lout individual, \u201cBod!\u201d is nicer to the ear. An\nangry Irish would say \u201cn\u00edl tada n\u00edos measa na b\u00f3d ina seasamh!\u201d pronounced\n\u2018Neil thhada knee smassa naa bod ina shassuv,\u2019 literally \u2018nothing is worse than\na standing prick\u2019. The more nonchalant you assert it; the biggest will be the\nimpact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bodchlip (semi-silent \u2018c’) \u00e8 Pr*ck tease<\/p>\n\n\n\n

N\u00edl ann\nach bodchlip \u00ed \u00e8 She is nothing but a pr*ck tease<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#13   W*nker<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

After\n\u201cmagarlach\u201d and \u201cbod,\u201d \u201cBuailteoir feola\u201d (uttered \u2018bull choir feola\u2019) was a\nmust. Used to define a fool, lazy and obnoxious man; it (hilariously)\ntranslates as \u2018meat beater.\u2019 I am pretty sure you don\u2019t need an explanation. Indeed, it does all\nmake sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#14   C*nt<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Let us move from the men\u2019s parts to the lady\u2019s with another\neasy insult, \u201cAiteann\u201d(\u2018Art zone\u201d). A disgrace that translates to \u2018furze.\u2019 It\nis genuinely offensive towards Irish women (and others; except for Australia)\nand is kind of a stern version of \u201cbod.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could also\nuse \u201cA smoaoiseach\u00e1n\u201d (enunciated \u2018aa smuasse kan\u2019) if you want to remain\nfriend with the person you are actually biting! It implies \u2018sniveller\u2019 and is\nthe Irish version of \u2018snooty\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#15   Assh*le!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

“C\u00fal\nt\u00f3na,” pronounced “coool tone aa,” is the masculine equivalent\nof “Bhitseach.” These words define an idiotic and deeply annoying\nperson. In Ireland, it also describes someone thinking with his male genitals\ninstead of his brain. “Dickhead” would be another right translation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cN\u00edl ann\nach c\u00fal t\u00f3na \u00e9,\u201d transcribed \u2018Nil an ack cool tone aa ey\u201d \u00e8 \u2018He’s just a dickhead.’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs C\u00fal\nT\u00f3na cruthanta (silent \u2018t\u2019) ey\u201d \u00e8 \u2018He’s an\nabsolute dickhead.’ <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#16   B*stard!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA\nBastaird,” pronounced “a washtard”, this kick in the eye\nobviously means “a bastard.” For those unaware of the meaning, this\ndesignation defines a malicious, insensitive and despicable persona. It is also\na suitable nickname for someone you would dislike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will\nalso hear or read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA bhastaird\nbhreall ghn\u00faisigh\u201d (vocalised \u201cwrealghnuisi\u201d) \u00e8 “You cunt faced bastard.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA\nbasthaird m\u00f3r\u201d \u00e8 \u201cYou big bastard,\u201d not to confuse with \u201cYou big\nbastards<\/strong>\u201d (that invokes large\nbosoms!).   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#17   Gombeen<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Primarily\nused to describe an unscrupulous and corrupted business man, a \u201cgaimb\u00edn\u201d is a curse typical to Ireland.\nThe wheeler-dealers were the first people called this way. When the Great\nFamine occurred, the pernicious local merchants turned into gombeens as well.\nIndeed, they made a lot of earnings on the starving community selling food at\nextortionate loans. Today, its signification evolved as it depicts anyone making\nprofit at someone else\u2019s expenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#18   Gobdaw<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Originated\nin the \u201860s, a gobdaw portrayed an ingenious soul. Nowadays, the Irish slang \u2018gabhd\u00e1n\u2019\ncharacterises a pretentious fool. Gobdaw is a more delicate manner to call\nsomebody a gobshite.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#19   Fecker<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A more\ncharming word for f*cker. This general insult became internationally famous\nthanks to the abusive and hard-core boozer Father Jack Hackett. He is one of\nthe main characters of Father Ted<\/em>,\none of the best TV shows ever created in Ireland. A fecker would mostly get\naway with murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#20   Eejit, a Double Gowl<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The word \u2018eejit\u2019 is an evolution of the 1950\u2019s English\n\u2018Eediot.\u201d With time, Scottish and Irish accents changed its audible resonance.\nThis is why its transcription derived and grew to its modern form. A gowl is\nwhat we could compare as a careless and clumsy moron. In Ireland, an eejit is a\ncomplete gowl. It is never really used for aggressive means but is more of a derisive\nname.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the\nadorable \u201cdope\u201d to the harsher \u2018donkey\u2019, Irish have over a dozen labels to call\nsomeone an idiot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#21   Hoor<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This word\ncan be used for both lovable and hateful contexts. When \u2018cute\u2019 precedes \u2018hoor,\u2019\nit endearingly characterises a sly rascal. However, when used on its own, it\ngrimly compares a woman to a harlot. Another word for \u2018whore\u2019 basically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#22   Hussy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The\ndesignation \u2018Hussy\u2019 rose from the contraction from \u2018housewife\u2019 to \u2018huswif.\u2019 In\nthe 17th<\/sup> century, the meaning took a drastic turn. Since then, it\ntags promiscuous and shameless women who love to flirt around, lack morals and\nmake troubles. The closest English translation would be a \u2018tart\u2019 or a \u2018sl*t.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#23   Scut<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A scut is how most of Ireland labels a \u2018piece of\nsh*te\u201d. It said that its etymology comes from the shorter\nversion of the English \u2018scutter,’ the laziest person ever. Scuts also relates\nto a soft excretion. In other regions of the country, it has a much courteous connotation\nas it describes a naughty kid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#24   Wagon!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In\nEnglish, a wagon portrays a female with generous buttocks. In Ireland though,\nit is a curse toward detestable and antipathetic people (usually women). This\nterm is also used to degrade female\u2019s physical appearance as per \u201cBetter gimme\nanother pint. She still looks like a wagon!\u201d Shtate, on its side, is a rougher\nvariant of \u2018wagon\u2019 as it asserts a misanthropic aversion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#25   A tool<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

According\nto the Urban Dictionary, a ‘tool’ is “That\nguy who makes us <\/em>shake<\/em><\/a> our head in <\/em>disbelief<\/em><\/a> but at the same time makes us feel better about\nourselves since we are <\/em>not him<\/em><\/a>\u201d. It is also \u201cSomeone whose ego FAR exceeds his talent, intelligence, and\nlikeability.\u201d <\/em>A tool is fundamentally the meanest form of a prick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#26   Bosthoon <\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The word bast\u016bn <\/em>comes from the Latin \u2018bastum\u2019: stick. It was\ninitially the name of a whip made of natural bundle (ouch!). It then referred\nto vulnerable and apathetic identities. Today, its written form derived into\nBosthoon, and its meaning points out coarse and thick personas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#27   Jackeen<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the 17th century, a jack(e) was the standard label for loathsome men.\n\u201c\u012bn,\u201d a Gaelic diminutive, has been added later in time. Jackeen\/jack\u012bn stands\nfor \u2018little jack,\u201d and is literally a dual insult. It is also how Irish call\nDubliners.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#28   Kern<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This one might ring a bell! Kern is indeed an English disgrace with\nIrish origins. Its etymology comes from \u2018Cethern,’ which used to refer to a\ngroup of walking militaries. These infantrymen generally came from the\ncountryside and were perceived as uncivilised and surly.  \u2018Kern\u2019 has both a derogatory and endearment\nusage. Depending on your tone, \u2018kern\u2019 can qualify someone as a \u201cbadass\u201d as much\nas a \u201cpain in the arse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#29   Bodach<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This degrading word\ndescribed a rustic and boor character. Often used as an offence towards old\nmen, it is pronounced \u2018bod aakk\u2019 and, literally means \u2018serf\u2019 (a medieval term\nfor peasant). In the 20th century, Yeats and Scotts, two famous Irish\nplaywrights and novelists, borrowed the word \u2018bodach\u2019 to illustrate a\n\u2018bogeyman\u2019: a mysterious and evil monster who punishes bad children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since then, the word acquired a more affectionate signification. The\nfeminine alternative would be \u2018cailleach,\u2019 a \u2018biddy.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#30   Slob<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the 18th<\/sup>\ncentury, Irish would employ \u2018slaba\u2019 as a mean for \u2018muddy land\u2019 and \u2018mire.\u2019 The\ndesignation obtained its current form (slob) and interpretation a few decades\nlater. It pictures a lazy, rude and unhygienic person, regardless of the gender.\nIt does not always have a debasing use though, as it also a way to portray an\nordinary being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Classic Irish Curses <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Irish curses\nare known for being uproarious, pernicious and poetic. The following list will both\nmake you snigger and bring you out in goose bumps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • You\u2019re as thick as manure but only half as\nuseful <\/li>
  • If there were work on your bed, you\u2019d lie\non the ground<\/li>
  • I hope you die without a priest in a town\nwith no clergy<\/li>
  • Your face would drive rats from a barn<\/li>
  • I wish you to have red diarrhoea<\/li>
  • You were so ugly when you were born that the\nnurse slapped your mother<\/li>
  • You\u2019re as sharp as a beach ball<\/li>
  • I never forget an Irish face, but in your\ncase, I’ll make an exception<\/li>
  • May the cat eat you, and the devil eat the\ncat<\/li>
  • The tide would not take her out<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    More Irish Insults:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If the previous list wasn’t exhaustive enough, here are a short table of more \u2018F\u2019 words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
    \n English\n <\/td>\n Irish\n <\/td>\n Pronunciation\n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n F*ck it\n <\/td>\n Ple\u00f3d air\n <\/td>\n Aa plaud air\n  \n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n F*ck you\n <\/td>\n Feisigh leat\n <\/td>\n Fish E laat\n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n F*cker\n <\/td>\n Feis\u00ed\n <\/td>\n Feish ee\n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n F*ck off\n <\/td>\n T\u00e9igh dt\u00ed diabhail\n <\/td>\n Kei dji-dji wol\n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n Don\u2019t f*ck with me\n <\/td>\n N\u00e1 smaoinigh fu\u00edoll feisithe a dh\u00e9anamh diomsa\n <\/td>\n Naa smweeny foil feish aa yeanam djemza\n <\/td><\/tr>
    \n F*ck off, you fat arse (literally \u2018Go to the devil,\n big bum\u2019)\n <\/td>\n T\u00e9igh dt\u00ed diabhail, a th\u00f3in m\u00f3r\n <\/td>\n Kei dji-dji wol, aa hoin more\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

    Cool Video\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \nhttp:\/\/playithub.com\/watch\/jyfx0gUALxk\/how-to-curseswear-in-irish-gaeilge-gaelic-clisare.html\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Like any good traveler, learning a few native words before landing is a good way to start a conversation with locals. In Ireland, it is all about the craic, and kicks in the eye are part of everyday chats. Swearing is an essential component of the Irish culture and, every […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4578,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/overinireland.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/best-irish-insults.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pauohh-19f","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4417"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4417"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4580,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4417\/revisions\/4580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4417"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/overinireland.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}