High til Spake Norn Iron Part III

KCIF Director Craig Duke is back with the last installment of his incendiary lessons on Northern Ireland. Read. Absorb. Memorize. Then chat up someone at this year's Fest and impress (amuse) them with your new knowledge.

The word Craic (pronounced crack) can be seen throughout the Irish Fest and in general terms means fun or having fun. But in Norn Iron, depending upon its context and usage, the term Craic not only refers to good times but also gossip. Some examples: She's great craic when she gets going! Did you not hear the craic? Laren is up the duff (meaning pregnant)? (Editor's note: NOT true.) That party was great craic! The craic's tremendous?

When visiting Norn Iron and you have no form of transport please don’t ask a female friend or new acquaintance for a ride! If you do you will probably get your balleex kicked in by her or a male family member, as you have just asked her to have sexual relations with you. If you need to go somewhere ask for a lift, it’s safer.

Yer Man: Is a general term used to describe someone who’s name is not known or someone you do not want others to know their name. “Is that Yer Man?” or “Just go over to Yer Man over there and tell him I said yer alright.”

Fingy: Another word used when you don’t know someone’s name “Were you with fingy last night?”

Youse or Youse-ins: A term to describe a number of people or a group. “Are youse (youse-ins) coming out form some craic tonight.”

Gutties: Are training shoes or running shoes.

Goes: Replaces “ I said” an example would be, “I was talking to yer man the other night and I goes, yer blottered, ye eejit.”

Other everyday words are:
Bake ; Face
Oxsters: Armpits
Piece: Sandwich or Lunch
Yermaa -an insult used when nothing else better can be thought of
Arse: Butt

So until the next time see ya and spake to youse later. I have to take baff now cuz my oxsters are mingin!!!

Craig