Just arrived in Belfast and not sure what anyone is saying?
We have put together the most used words and phrases, along with their meanings so that you will sound like a Belfast native in no time!
“What’s the craic?”
“What’s going on?”
Wee
Small
This is one of the most frequently used words that you will hear in Belfast and can be used before almost any noun e.g. “wee cup of tea” or “wee bag”. These things do not necessarily need to be small either.
"I’m up to high doh"
“I’m very nervous/excited.”
Banjaxed
Broken/drunk
“The car is banjaxed.”
“Ats us nai”
“Ats us nai” is “that’s us now” said in a strong Belfast accent. It can be used in many scenarios and is usually used when something has been completed/accomplished. For example, you have just arrived at your destination… “ats us nai” or you have just ordered a drink at the pub… “ats us nai”. The possibilities are endless.
Dander
Walk
“Do you want to go for a dander?”
Mucker
Friend
“He is my mucker.”
"Dead on"
“That’s fine.”
This is a positive statement used to describe a situation. If you are describing a person as being ‘dead on’ they are good-natured and easy to get along with.
“It’s Baltic!”
“It’s really cold!”
“I’m foundered”
“I’m cold.”
Boggin
Disgusting/dirty
“The toilet is boggin.”
“Do you think I came Up The Lagan in a Bubble?”
“Do you think I’m stupid?”
Melter
Someone who is annoying.
“She is a melter.” / “She is such a melt.”
Scundered
Embarrassed
Gurning
Crying
Eejit
Idiot/stupid/silly
So it is
This is a strange one for people who aren’t from Belfast. It seems to just appear at the end of random sentences. There are also variations such as ‘so I am.’
“The weather is amazing today, so it is.”
Yeo
Or you will more commonly hear this being shouted and sounding like “YEEEEEEOOOOOOOOO!!!!” It is normally used when someone is happy or excited about something.
Geg
A source of fun or amusement.
“He’s a geg.”
Written by Michelle Corry