“You won’t find any of these Irish sayings in the holiday guides or quotation books.”
These are some funny Irish sayings I remember from my childhood, many are still used today. I’m sure there’s plenty more to add, so feel free to comment any that I have missed out.
20 Irish Sayings From Our Childhoods and Their Meanings:
- If you fall and break your legs, don’t come running to me! (used by every Irish mother since time began)
- I know you’re a pane (pain), but I can’t see through you (usually used against person if standing in front of the TV)
- Go ‘way! (seriously, is it really true?)
- How’s you’re belly for spots? (a friendly greeting)
- What’s the face for? (usually used when someone has a cross, or sad face. The speaker is semi-concerned, but probably believes you need a good kick up the arse and stop feeling sorry for yourself)
- Would you look at the head on yer’ man (usually used when someone is hungover, or feeling down and in need of cheering up – the speaker is not feeling very sympathetic though and it could turn into full on verbal abuse)
- Little apples will grow again (basically means karma)
- He’ll get his come-uppings in the end (basically means karma too)
- If it’s meant for you, you’ll get it (a way of telling someone not to be disappointed if something doesn’t work out for them)
- I’ve eyes in the back of me head (means don’t try pulling the wool over my eyes, I’ll catch you. Usually used by Irish mothers)
- A little bird told me (used by mothers and fathers of young kids, who thought they got away with something that they didn’t. A friendly warning)
- I could feel it in me waters (a gut feeling, or instinct, almost a mystical knowledge)
- Would you ever go kiss me arse (usually reserved for someone you don’t like. The person who said it is possibly two steps away from ‘flying off the handle’)
- Would you stop! (See Go ‘way! above)
- I’ll burst you (you may get thumped if you don’t clear off quick)
- Are you for real? (I don’t believe you. Similar meaning to ‘Go ‘way”!, but a bit more edge to it)
- Get out of that garden (classic Dublin, originally to tell people (mostly kids) to indeed, get out of that garden. Later it took on a meaning similar to ‘Would you stop!’, see number 14 above)
- Get off that wall (similar to ‘Get out of that Garden’, see number 17. Often used in conjunction with number 17)
- You were caught rapid (means, you thought you were being smart, and believed you got away with it, but I caught you and now you’re going to be sorry)
- Right, that’s it! (means you have tested my patients to the very limits of human endurance, and whatever happens next is your own fault)