Dialect Dictionary: Five Belfast Sayings That Might Come in Handy!

Ireland. We’re a tiny country, in the grand scheme of things, but all you have to do is cross a county border and you’re in the land of a whole new language. We’ve paired up with 7UP Free to help you 'Irish it Up' with a regular Dialect Dictionary to help you on your travels across the Emerald Isle.

______________________________

Today we’re off to the wonderful city of Belfast…

Belfast is the capital city of Norn Iron (that’s Northern Ireland for those of you who aren’t familiar with the dialect). It is also the city where the Titanic was built.

But more to the point it is a city with some very unusual colloquialisms. Speaking of which we thought you’d might like to read about a few of them. Ach, go on, you know you do! (That is one by the way.)

1. Aye

It is probably the most used term ever and it simply means yes, so if someone says ‘aye’ to your question you can take it as a positive. Unless of course they combine it with ‘right’ in which case they’re being sarcastic and you should take it as a negative. You can see why people can get confused can’t you?

 

2. Your ones

Your parents or family. Examples: “Are your ones going to this thing on Saturday night?” or “I saw your ones down the town the other day.”

3. Wains

‘Wains’ or ‘we-uns’ or ‘wee ones’ as it would be translated in full. This term means young children, not something belonging to Wayne.

 

4. Dead on

Again this phrase can refer to your state of being alright which is completely genuine, or it can be used to take the mick as in “aye, dead on” which is completely sarcastic. But don’t worry it’ll be easy to distinguish the difference by the offensive tone.

5. Scundered

This is the Belfast equivalent of ‘scarleh’ meaning incredibly embarrassed. Best used after falling off a bus in front of loads of people, dropping a tampon on the dinner table or leaving your underwear at your boyfriend’s parents’ house after a night out.

 

Honourable mention: Bout you big lad

A term of endearment used among groups of friends (usually male) to find out how one is or what has been happening. It is often accompanied by a gentle slap on the shoulder.

Check back for more Dialect Diaries here over the coming weeks with 7UP FREE