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What it usually means: Something that is not what it purports to be.
What it means in the West: A friend, or alternatively, someone who has a high opinion of themselves. Also can be used to refer to an entire group of people – specifically, men from Tuam, Co Galway.
Saturday 16 November, 2024
Saturday 16 November, 2024
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11 words and phrases that have a totally different meaning in the West of Ireland
LIKE ANY PROVINCE worth its salt, the West of Ireland has a strong line in slang terms and phrases unique to the area.
Any native of the West will immediately understand what you’re talking about when you say these words. Everyone else… not so much.
1. Wahu
What it usually means: An expression of happiness.
What it means in the West: Hi friend, how are you?
2. Buck
What it usually means: A dollar; a male goat.
What it means in the West: To engage in sexual intercourse. Mostly used in Sligo.
3. Buff
What it usually means: To polish something; can also be used to describe someone in good physical shape.
What it means in the West: A country person, most likely into farming.
4. Sham
What it usually means: Something that is not what it purports to be.
What it means in the West: A friend, or alternatively, someone who has a high opinion of themselves. Also can be used to refer to an entire group of people – specifically, men from Tuam, Co Galway.
5. Shtall the digger
What it usually means: Stop the heavy machinery.
What it means in the West: Slow down; wait up.
6. Ah nix!
What it usually means: Nothing. It’s a phrase that was almost entirely made up by the people of Ballina, Co Mayo.
What it means in the West: An expression of surprise, joy, and sometimes disappointment.
7. Weak
What it usually means: Lacking strength.
What it means in the West: Unable to stand from laughter. (Pron: “Waaaaake”)
8. Lush
What it usually means: Having a rich, healthy quality.
What it means in the West: Drink. “Lushing” means “to go drinking” – “bush lushing”, to go drinking outside.
9. Feen
What it usually means: Someone mispronouncing ‘fiend’.
What it means in the West: Man.
10. Chill the beans
What it usually means: Put the beans in the fridge.
What it means in the West: Calm down.
11. Soonie the beure
What it usually means: ???
What it means in the West: Look at the state of yer one. (This phrase is mainly used in Mayo.)
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