Dublin words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the words, sayings and local lore you'll come across in Dublin, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Dublin words
- How's she cuttin'?
- A classic Dublin greeting, meaning how are you? The usual answer is something like "grand" or "not too bad".
- In dating: It makes a warm, friendly opener for a first message, and it's usually a sign of an easy going chat.
- Grand
- Fine, all right or good. In Ireland it can mean almost anything from "I'm fine" to "that's lovely".
- In dating: If someone says the weekend was grand, it was probably very good. If they say it was just grand, ask for more.
- Craic
- Fun, news or good conversation, pronounced "crack". "What's the craic?" means what's happening?
- In dating: "Good craic" is one of the best compliments you can pay a date: it means you enjoyed their company.
- Banjaxed
- Broken, ruined or exhausted.
- In dating: If your date says they're banjaxed after a long week, suggest a quiet cup of tea rather than a big night out.
- Yoke
- A handy word for any object whose name you can't remember, like a gadget or a thing.
- In dating: If someone asks to borrow a yoke on your first date, it's best to ask what they mean.
- Deadly
- Excellent or great, and nothing to do with danger.
- In dating: Telling someone their profile photo is deadly is a high compliment.
- Eejit
- A fool, usually said in a friendly, teasing way.
- In dating: Calling yourself an eejit after a clumsy first message is a charming way to break the ice.
- Gas
- Very funny, as in "he's great gas".
- In dating: Someone who says you're gas is saying you made them laugh.
- Sound
- Good, reliable and decent. "He's sound" is a good review.
- In dating: Being called sound by a friend of a friend is a good sign.
Dublin lore and landmarks
- The Liffey
- The river that runs through the middle of Dublin and splits the city into the Northside and the Southside.
- In dating: A walk along the quays, with a coffee at one of the bridges, is one of the easiest first dates in the city.
- Northside and Southside
- The traditional split of Dublin by the Liffey. People tease each other about which side is better.
- In dating: Ask your date which side they're from, and be ready for a friendly debate.
- The Dart
- The Dublin Area Rapid Transit train that runs along the coast from Howth and Malahide to Bray and Greystones.
- In dating: Meeting at a Dart station by the sea is a lovely, easy way to plan a date.
- The Luas
- Dublin's tram system, with a Red line and a Green line crossing the city.
- In dating: Choosing a meeting point near a Luas stop makes it easy for both of you to get there and home.
- Leap Card
- The reusable card that Dubliners use to pay for the Luas, the Dart and buses, usually cheaper than paying cash.
- In dating: If you're meeting someone who's visiting, a tip about the Leap Card will go down well.
- Coddle
- A traditional Dublin dish of sausages, bacon, potatoes and onions slowly cooked in a pot.
- In dating: A bowl of coddle on a cold winter's day is a very Dublin way to spend a date.
- The Spire
- The tall, slim stainless steel monument on O'Connell Street, a popular meeting point.
- In dating: If someone suggests meeting at the Spire, check which side of the street and a time first. It gets busy.
- Molly Malone
- The statue of the fishmonger from the famous song, near Grafton Street.
- In dating: It's a fine place for a photo and a handy landmark, though not the quietest meeting point.
Words change from one part of Dublin to the next, and what you hear in Ballyfermot isn't always what you hear in Dalkey. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.