Irishisms

Language is fascinating. Naturally language helps us communicate, reveals things about our culture, history, values, how we view the world and how we learn. Despite the fact that we speak English or at least try...there are words and phrases that are simply different. Of course there is also the accent. Yes, there are MANY times I still have to ask someone to repeat something. Or I just simply nod and smile and hoping that the next sentence will reveal the context. We are learning and appreciating language - body language, the spoken word, hidden meaning, and more. 

A few of some language differences we have noticed:

--I love how the Irish people say Hi, Hiya! 

--A classmate asked T to borrow his parer? Parings for shavings as in pencil shavings and a parer is a sharpener. 

--A slight variation in propositions - It's take away food not take out food. 

--K's teacher told her today that a classmate was out sick today, "with a bit of the dose."

--I was looking to buy rubbing alcohol last week and I was informed you have to go to the chemist not the pharmacist (or pharmacy). They call it surgical spirits! What a lovely phrase! 

--Cooking - In addition to using grams, imperial pints and milliliters instead of ounces, cups, pounds, tablespoons, teaspoons, and US pints, in Ireland we use a cooker or a hob instead of a stove. I dont think I could ever get used to the metric system. 

--The press is another good one. Basically its a cupboard, a large one. Dishes are kept in the press. There is also the hot press where the hot water tank is (which is VERY small). 

--Love the phrasing, I'll come and collect you instead of picking you up or meeting someone. 

--T came home telling me all the new "Irishisms" - they call band-aids - plasters, and erasers are called rubbers. 

--They call taxes a "levy"

--Sneakers are called runners or trainers, and soccer cleats are called boots.

--Your man/Your woman - Refers to just about anyone, whether you actually know them or not. e.g You know, your man, from the movie last night?

--A few bob - some money, e.g. Could you lend me a few bob?

--Banjaxed - broken, old, useless, e.g. that old piece of wood is banjaxed. 

...and there are many more! The children love telling me different things they have learned when they come home from school talking with their classmates. Their classmates are also asking them hundreds of questions about life and school in America. Now in Ireland is so common to see foreigners from all over the world. But when I was very young hanging out with my cousin's friends it was a BIG thing that I came over on a AIRPLANE from the US! Until about 20 years ago Ireland was a very very poor country. It has definitely come a long way! 

Hope you enjoyed all the IRISHISMS!!