Irish words and slang are used a lot by the characters of Ballyyahoo.
If you are not from Ireland you might find some of these a bit strange.
Here is a list of the most commonly used words and phrases to help you.
Craic – Craic is what Irish people love to have when they get together – have fun! It is pronounced as ‘crack.’
Eejit – idiot. This is a very commonly used slang word. It is usually meant in a funny way.
Gard – is a shortened form of the Irish term for a policeman.
Garda Síochána – the Irish Police force. In English this means Guardians of the Peace
Gardaí – is the plural form.
Gob – is slang for mouth. Graham-the-Gob is called that because he has a big mouth and gossips a lot.
Ballyyahooians – the people who live in Ballyyahoo
The Banshee – a terrifying ghost who usually lives near bogs. Legend has it that even the sight of a Banshee is enough to herald some terrible misfortune.
A whole rake of them – a slang phrase used in place of a ‘whole lot of them.’
A sharp kick in the whatsits – whatsits is used as another word for things or tender body parts. If you said ‘where’s the whatsit for the television?’ You might be talking about the remote control
Telly – television.
Moany old soaps – moany is slang for moaning or complaining and so moany -old soaps are television soap operas where the characters moan and complain a lot.
Kop on to himself – a slang expression that means ‘get some sense into yourself’
Any old Biddy from the town – Biddy is the Christian name of the Witch of Ballyyahoo and is short for Bridget. It is also a slang word for an old woman – a nice old Biddy.
Gurriers – these are villains or criminals. The word gurrier is sometimes used to describe a child who misbehaves. Kevin might be called a little gurrier.
Hooley – a great big Irish party.
Magser – like Maggie, Magser is a slang form of the name Margaret.
Jip – jip of the hip is the same as pain in the hip.
Oul – means old.
Ya or Ye – means you. Ya big eejit means you big idiot.
Yiz – often used instead of you – plural. Yiz big eejits!
Thingamabobs! – things and stuff!
Lambadivinethingamebobs – is what Ballyyahooians say when they’re really annoyed or amazed.
Whist up – shut up!
Bodhrán. – a small drum – usually played with the bare hand.
If you like funny Irish stories you’re sure to enjoy the Ballyyahoo stories.
Click here to read them.
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