A Beginner's Guide: How To Speak North Dublin Slang
Growing up in North Dublin is a unique experience. From the highs of the Ballymun towers to the great waves of Howth, North Dublin's a truly remarkable place but nothing makes it more remarkable than the dialect:
1. Bleedin'
When to use: "They're bleedin' wrecking my head"
Translates: "They're very annoying people"
2. Dope/ Tick
Translates: A stupid person
3. Gerrup Ow'Da
Translates: "Stop that"
4. C'mere till I tell ya
Translates: "I have something to tell you and it's urgent"
5. Where's the jax?
Translates: "Where's the bathroom?"
6. Deadly
When to use: "That's deadly!"
Translates: "That's really great"
7. Pox
When to use: "I hate that pox" or "poxy weather"
Translates: "I hate that person" or "annoying weather" ie to express announce at something or someone.
8. Puss on her
Translates: "Her face doesn't look very happy"
9. Bang
When to use: "Da bang of Lynx Africa off him!"
Translates: "the smell of strong deodorant off that man makes me feel ill!"
10. Browned off
When to use: I'm actually browned off
Translates: "I'm fed up"
11. Stop the lights!
Translates: "I can't believe it!"
12. State/ In Bits/ Wrecked/ Bet/ Wrote Off / Hack
When to use:
"The state of yer man!"
"Yer ones actually in bits"
"He's wrecked looking"
"Yer man was bet down",
"He's bleedin' wrote off",
"Hack yer one"
Translates: "That man/ woman looks absolutely dreadful"
13. Wreck the gaff
When to use: "Those kids are wrecking the gaff" / "Let's wreck the gaff!"
Translation: "The children are going to destroy this clean home", "let's have a party"
14. A Goo
When to use: "Girls, I have a bit of a goo on me!"
Translation: "Girls, I'd love to go and get drunk!"
15. A Jo Maxi
When to use: "Did you order a Jo Maxi? It's pay in after 11!"
Translation: "Did you order a taxi? We have to pay to get into the club if we don't get there before 11"
16. The Blacker
When to use: "You goin' the Blacker later?"
Translates: "Are you going to the Black Sheep and Dusk Nightclub later?"
17. Hole
When to use: "Did ya get your hole last night?"
Translation: "Did you have sex?"
18. Scarleh
When to use: "I'm actually so scarleh"
Translation: "I'm very embarrassed right now but the feeling of shame will eventually pass"
19. Delira
When to use: "Ah I'm delira for ya chick"
Translation: "That's great news"
20. Nice one, yeah!
Translates: "Thanks a million. I really appreciate it!"
21. Verdy good
Translates: "very good"
22. Yizzer
When to use: "yizzer only mad about each other!"
Translates: "you two are definitely in love"
23. Massive
When to use: "You're only massive in that dress"
Translates: "You're gorgeous in that dress"
24. No way, really?
Translates: "I'm actually really surprised 'cause I didn't know that was true"