In this video, we’re going to look at funny Northern Irish phrases.
Hey, I’m Alister and welcome to another video.
I’ve been an English and Maths teacher for 11 years and am originally from Belfast, the
capital city of Northern Ireland.
If this is your first time here, remember to subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t
miss anything.
Number 1
Wee buns
If a task is wee buns it is very easy.
This is a Northern Irish idiom with a similar meaning to the more common idioms - a piece
of cake or a cake walk.
Perhaps, these idioms are where the idiom wee buns comes from.
How’d you get on in the Physics test?
It was wee buns, I could’ve passed it with my eyes closed!
The idea of cake being something “easy” originated in the 1870s when cakes were given
as prizes in competitions.
One particular American tradition involved slaves performing a dance mocking the mannerisms
of their masters.
The best couple won the cake and the idiom has been used ever since.
Well, since 1936, when apparently it was first used in print.
We’ll say something more about the importance of the word wee later in the video.
Number 2
Buck eejit
An eejit is a stupid person, or idiot.
A buck eejit is even more of a stupid person, or idiot.
You left the fridge door open all day, you buck eejit!
In a strange way, this phrase is actually kind of a term of endearment.
It’s difficult to explain, Northern Irish people just know how to use it.
It would never be used in a serious situation, a life or death matter, for example.
Number 3
Houl yer whisht
This is translated as please be quiet.
Will you houl yer whisht! I’m watching the sport!
This phrase is also popular on the other side of the Irish Sea, in Scotland.
It was first recorded in the mid-16th century.
Number 4
I’ll run ye over
This is not to be confused with a threat - no one is threatening to run over you!
This is a person offering a lift to another person.
Sure, it’s bucketing down, I’ll run ye over to the shops.
Bucket down is an informal phrasal verb used throughout the UK to mean rain heavily.
Number 5
Up to high doh
This means to be over-excited
Why’s Sammy up to high doh?
It must be because he got free tickets to Windsor Park.
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast.
It is the home ground of Linfield and the Northern Ireland national team, colloquially
called the Green and White Army, due to their kit colour.
Number 6
Boys a dear
This is an exclamation of surprise, happiness, sadness, shock and many other emotions - used
in the same way as oh my goodness.
Boys a dear, it’s roasting today!
Boys a dear, this test is difficult!
Boys a dear, I haven’t seen you in 10 years!
By the way this video is part of my Northern Ireland series.
The link to the playlist is up here and also in the description below.
If you want to know more about the Northern Irish accent or words that Northern Irish
people say check it out after you’ve watched this video.
Number 7
Aye sure, why nat
This is used to laugh off something that everyone realises is definitely a terrible decision.
It ends up being done anyway.
Hey everyone, how about going for a swim in the Atlantic?
Everyone: Nah, mate it’s proper baltic!
One other person: Aye sure, why nat?
(They end up swimming)
Also, baltic means extremely cold.
Number 8
Do you think I came down the Lagan in a bubble?
This is a simple way of saying, I am not daft, or stupid.
Now, son, will you be okay while I go out for a few hours?
Aye, who do you think I am? Do you think I came down the Lagan in a bubble?
The River Lagan is the longest river in Belfast, though, interestingly it is not the river
that the city was named.
Belfast, or Béal Feirste, means the mouth of the River Farset, which is now underneath
the city’s High Street.
Number 9
Wee
This might be the most important word in Northern Ireland!
Firstly, it is NOT a word used to speak about a bathroom activity.
It is used as an adjective, to describe any and everything, often small things, though
this is not essential.
Hey, could you give me a wee lift?
Aye, just wait a wee winute. I have to finish my wee cup of tea.
Dead-on. It’s only a wee journey to visit my mate.
For more on Northern Ireland, I made a video about how to do a Northern Irish accent.
I suggest checking it out.
Thanks so much for watching and I’ll see you over here in this video.