If an Irish person said to you, “Gimmie that yoke,” would you think they were talking about an egg? If so, 99% of the time, you’d be wrong. How about banjaxed, bockety or craic? Any clue what they mean?
The Little Book of Irishisms is for anyone who wants to understand the Irish, not just how we speak English, but how we are as people, relaxed about some things, picky about others.
It’s also for those who’d like to sound Irish, even just for Paddy’s Day. An ambitious goal. But, as we say, “God loves a trier.”
In this little book, you’ll learn handy tricks to Irishify your sentences. And how to avoid those clangers that people think we say but never actually do, like the classic, “Top of the morning to you.”
You’ll even achieve the impossible and discover how to pronounce Irish names – like Clodagh, Tadhgh or Caoilfhinn. And how to casually drop an Irish word into your banter, as we do e.g. “I’m going to my leaba.” (Leaba meaning bed.)
If you’re coming to Ireland and want to fit right in, this book’s for you. If you can’t make to our little nation, here’s a way of visiting in spirit.
The Little Book of Irishisms is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys the Irish in them. It’s available from bookshops, books.ie, The Book Depository and Amazon. Note to Irish booksellers: The Little Book of Irishisms is available from Gardners.
A free Taster of The Little Book of Irishisms is available HERE.
