What's the Craic?

Even though we technically speak the same language, I often find myself asking the Irish to slow it down! They speak very quickly (even for me!!) and they use a lot of slang. Last weekend, while working the bar, I was able to hear many new terms and wanted to share a few of my favorites with you here.

Sayings...

What's the Craic? = What's up?

For the Craic = Just for fun

Craic = Fun (pronounced "crack")

Cheers/Grand/Thanks a Mil = Thanks or Cheers

Fag = Cigarette (which cost 8.60 euro from the machine ... $12 per pack!!)

Stag/Hen Party = Bachelor/Bachelorette Party

Fair Play To Ya = Well done

Bang On = Right On (not to be used as a command)

On the Swish/On the Hooch = Drinking (getting wasted). Example: "Erica was on the swish" = Erica was drinking/getting wasted. 

Food Terms...

Rashers = Irish bacon, which is really lean smoked ham (so lean I needed to add butter to cook it properly)

Streaky Rashers = American-style bacon (fatty and delicious)

Biscuits = Cookies

Chips = Fries

Crisps = Chips

Drink terms...

Vodka with a splash of "white" = "White" means 7-Up

Vodka with a splash of "red" = "Red" means the Irish Red Lemonade which is actually a reddish-orange citrus sparkling soda beverage and has very little to do with actual lemons

Pint of Smithwick's with a Guinness Head = A pint of Smithwick's beer with a little Guinness added at the end to make a creamy head that looks like a Guinness head. 

Lager Shandy = A pint of Heineken/Budwiser/Carlsburg filled 3/4 and then topped with 7-Up

Beer Shandy = A pint of Smithwick's filled 3/4 and then topped with Irish Red Lemonade

Bulmer's  = An alcoholic apple cider, served with a pint glass of ice. Tastes like a light Wood Chuck or Hornsby's. 

Mi Wadi = A concentrated artificial fruit drink to which you add water. Kids love it. Comes in orange, black currant, and lime. Also yummy to add to vodka. 

Hot Whiskey/Port = A shot of Irish whiskey (or Port), 4 cloves, a lemon slice and fill the small glass with hot water. Add sugar if desired. 

Baby Guinness = Tia Marie (or Kahlua) and Bailey's ... looks like a Guinness. 

Just for the craic, see how many of these Irish terms you can incorporate into your conversations in the next few days! It's the craic!