These phrases are known far and wide in Ireland — find out what they really mean and freshen up your talking points for St. Patrick's Day.
The Irish have a number of unique sayings and words.
Charles Platiau/Reuters
The Irish are known in the US for their quick speaking and heavy accents.
They've also got a few unique phrases and words, like "craic" and "eejits."
Sadly, if you aren't from Ireland or of Irish descent, you probably haven't heard half of them.
"What's the craic?" might sound confusing but, in Ireland, it's another way to ask how someone is.People drinking beer wearing St. Patrick's Day costumes.
Pressmaster/Shutterstock
Greetings like "Any craic?" and "How's the craic?" most likely confuse tourists because craic is pronounced like "crack."
In the Emerald Isle, if your friends are getting rowdy or making a fool of themselves, you'd say they are "acting the maggot."People in leprechaun costumes drinking beer.
It is said to come from Tod Sloane, an American jockey whose parents were out of the picture, leaving him a lone wolf during his childhood. He was a successful horse racer in the West, but when he moved across the pond he was harshly made fun of for his riding style, and therefore "alone" once more.
"Look at the state o' you!" implies that a person's attire, personal hygiene, intoxication level, or general demeanor is worrisome.Drunk.
People will often say they or their friends are "as happy as Larry" when they have no worries or cares in the world.A person dressed up for St. Patrick's Day.
A loved one may say "may the road rise up to meet you" on your wedding day.An Irish couple getting married.
Alex Vog/Shutterstock
You may recognize this popular blessing (in Irish Gaelic: Go n-éirí an bóthar leat) from Catholic weddings or on cross-stitched pillows in your nan's house.
One of the main characteristics of Celtic Christianity is the use of images of nature to show how God interacts with people. "May the road rise up to meet you/ May the wind be always at your back/ May the sun shine warm upon your face ..." uses everyday images to mean may God remove obstacles in your journey through life.
"Your son is your son today, but your daughter is your daughter forever" is one of the more misogynistic sayings.Boats in the water in Roundstone, Ireland.
Sergio Diaz/Shutterstock
This phrase is pretty misogynistic. Basically, it means a man is only a son until he takes a wife, but as a daughter gets older, she will stay near the family, draining it of money and time for years to come.
In Irish Gaelic, it's Is é do mhac do mhac inniú, ach is í d'iníon d'iníon go deo.
You order a pint of "black stuff" at the bar.Guinness beer on a table.
Frantisekf/Shutterstock
This refers to a pint of Guinness, which in reality is a deep ruby red color and not black.
A "chancer" is a slightly insulting way to describe someone who's unafraid to take risks.High-wire artist Kane Petersen.
Scott Barbour/Getty
This could be a major risk, or simply something you call your friend who's chatting up someone who's out of his league.
"Delira and excira" means "delighted and excited."Ireland fans at the Rugby World Cup.
Whatever you do, don't let an Irish person catch you calling St. Patrick's Day "St. Patty's Day."A person wearing shamrock sunglasses.
Natacha Pisarenko/AP
Any true Irish person will tell you that it's St. Paddy's, not St. Patty's. Many are pretty passionate about putting an end to the misspelling and mispronunciation, so on St. Patrick's Day, don't be surprised if you hear people at the local pub having a heated discussion about it.
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