10 unique Irish sayings that have a different meaning in other countries
Irish people are very particular when it comes to having weird and wonderful sayings.
There are several sayings Irish people use in everyday life that would result in them receiving some very funny looks if they were said in any other nation.
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From 'grand' to 'shur lookit', here are 10 Irish sayings that have an entirely different meaning in other countries...
1. 'The craic'
Aisling Bea during the Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas. Pic: Getty Images
We all know this by now, but saying 'What's the craic' and 'good craic' are sayings synonymous with Ireland.
The funny thing is, now many other neighbouring nations have learned to use the double meaning to the word, as we saw on Love Island. However, there are some places where craic or perhaps crack means something else, and it's not exactly legal...
2. 'I will, yeah'
Saoirse Ronan attends The Outrun premiere during the Berlin Film Festival. Pic: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
If there's one thing a lot of Irish people pride themselves on it's having a very dry and sarcastic sense of humour. When it comes to the intention of wording, it's all down to the delivery, as 'I will, yeah' proves.
Said in another place, the same words probably mean you plan to do something for someone, however in Ireland it means you simply haven't a notion.
3. 'Yer man' and 'Yer wan'
Nicola Coughlan as Penelope. Pic: Netflix
What could easily be mistake for 'your man' or 'your woman', in Ireland you could literally be talking about anyone. An Irish person may not be actually talking about 'your' anything, you may not even know the person.
Most people either use this phrase when they're talking about someone who's within earshot or else they can't remember a person's actual name.
4. Ride
Paul Mescal. Pic: Supplied
As you can imagine, ride for the majority of the English-speaking world means getting a lift, be that by car, horse or plane, from one place to another.
In Ireland, a 'ride' refers to a particular person whom you clearly find attractive.
5. Pissed
Thinking of Ending Things, Jessie Buckley. Pic: Netflx
In most countries, saying you're 'pissed' usually means you're angry at someone or something.
Here however, pissed has a very special meaning in that it describes a certain level of drunkenness.
6. 'Shur lookit'
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell as Michelle in Derry Girls Pic: Derry Girls
If someone said the words 'sure, look it' anywhere else, chances are they want you to look at something. Irish people use the term 'shur lookit' to describe something that just cannot be solved, such as the mysteries of the universe.
When you're running out of ways to end a conversation, 'shur lookit' comes in handy as a means of making a quick escape.
7. Shift
Caitriona Balfe and Julia Roberts, 'Money Monster' photocall. Pic: REX
One more commonly associated with younger people in Ireland, a shift has nothing to do with your scheduled hours of work.
Instead, to 'shift' someone or to 'get the shift' actually refers to engaging in a good old fashioned kissing session.
8. Press
Pic: BBC
The press is usually a term used to describe the media or literally an action of 'pressing' something down. Weirdly, in Ireland a press is actually what we call cupboards or shelves in kitchens.
Not only that, we also have a special name for a boiler room or a heated closet - a phenomenon known as the 'hot press'.
9. Grand
Pierce Brosnan, A Long Way Down - 2014. Pic: REX
Not to be confused with the unit of measurement, to be 'grand' is a state of being in Ireland.
It's used to describe an array of different things, including how you feel, how the weather is and even as a way of reassuring someone. For example: 'Sure it'll be grand.'
10. Minerals
'Who bought the minerals?' Pic: Rex
Minerals in Irish households are a long way away from the healthy things you need in your diet.
In talking about 'minerals' Irish people often mean fizzy or soft drinks rather than the kind that goes along with vitamins.
God help the Irish living abroad anyway!