UNEARTHING SLANG MEANING

The Luck Of The Irish: 10 Popular Sayings From The Emerald Isle

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According to the latest census, more than 31.5 million residents in the US claim to have Irish ancestry. Large states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have the largest percentage of Irish Americans. So, even if you’ve never been to Ireland, you’ve probably heard one of these expressions at least once. But, do you know exactly what they mean or where they come from? Don’t worry, we've got you covered. Here are 10 of the most popular Irish slang words and phrases and their meanings.

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The literal meaning of this phrase is "The best part of the morning to you" and is used as a greeting to wish somebody a good day. If that’s not sounding Irish enough, you should know that the traditional response for it is: "And the rest of the day to yourself".

This phrase was commonly used in all of the UK in the Victorian Era but fell out of use only to be revived later as a stereotypical Irish expression. Although it may have originated in Ireland, you probably won’t find a single Irish person saying it today. Maybe Hollywood had something to do with transforming it into a cliched Irish-ism?

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Every March 17th when we prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day we dust off the famous phrase "Erin go bragh". But do you know exactly what it represents? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Erin go bragh today means "Ireland forever". However, the original Irish expression was Erin go brách (or go bráth), which translates as "Ireland until eternity" or "Ireland till doomsday."

This popular statement originated during the 18th-century Irish rebellion against the British and was used to convey loyalty and devotion to the land. Later, a group of Irish volunteers joined the Mexican side in the Mexican–American War waving about a green flag with a harp and the motto Erin Go Bragh. In the decades following, similar flags have been used at different times to express Irish nationalism. So now you know the real story behind this historic expression!

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Depending on the tone, this phrase can sound harsh or affectionate. Stop acting the maggot is an informal expression used to describe someone who is acting rowdy, lazy, or foolishly. If a friend or relative —especially the littlest ones— is not doing what they are supposed to and they are getting on your nerves, you can say "cop on" which also means stop "acting the maggot".

Like with many other slang terms or idioms, it is hard to trace the origin of this one. How such a disgusting creature as a maggot made its way into an expression used for decades is a mystery. However, it is a popular saying you’ll hear often in Ireland. You’ll also even find it printed on t-shirts and mugs!

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You’ll frequently find the word craic in songs and other pop culture references. The truth is, craic became a staple in Irish slang, now used to describe a good time or a fun experience. The term comes from the Old English word "cracian" which meant an abrupt sound or sharp noise.

With time, the word came to convey general noise or commotion, and by the 20th century, it had morphed into a more positive term meaning enjoyable experiences. It’s pronounced like "crack" and you’ll probably hear it in the famous phrase What's the craic?, that is, "What’s happening?" or "Is there anything going on?".

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This one is another St. Patrick’s classic and a pub staple. If you ever had a drink —or five— with Irish people, you most certainly have heard the expression Sláinte!

Commonly used when lifting a glass to toast, this interjection literally translates to "Good Health". The word derives from the Old Irish word slán, meaning "healthy" or "safe" and it's pronounced slawn-sha. In other words, it is the Irish version of the English Cheers!

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This expression is a colloquial way to indicate a long period of time, similar to saying "for ages" or "for a very long time". Although it is believed to have originated in British English in the early 20th century, it is a very popular phrase in Ireland. Commonly used when you are not sure about an exact amount of years, it likely comes from the idea that donkeys live a long time compared to other animals, for example, horses.

Another plausible explanation is that it is a pun on the long ears of donkeys. In this case, the origin may have more to do with rhyming slang, taking advantage of homophones, that is, the similar pronunciation between the two words.

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The term yoke originated in Northern Ireland and has deep roots in the local culture. It is commonly used to refer to anything, person, or object when you don’t want to specify its actual name or title. The word yoke is likely derived from the Old English word geoc, which refers to a wooden frame used to harness animals.

Either as a placeholder when used to refer to an object or as a funny way of invoking a memorable event, yoke is an incredibly versatile word that can be applied in different situations. Specifically, the expression You're some yoke! is used to address someone affectionately, meaning something similar to "You're pretty awesome".

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If you are ever in Ireland and in need of a restroom just ask anyone: Where's the jacks?According to the legend, the first-ever multi-cubicle toilet was invented in 1806 by an Irish man called Jack Power. He is said to have had 38 children, so no wonder he was in desperate need of some privacy.

Although he patented his system, people insisted on calling it "Jacks". The more angry he became with him being associated with going to the toilet, the more people continued to address it this way. By popular belief, Jack eventually changed his name and moved to the UK. Urban myth or not, for the Irish, a toilet will always be referred to as "the Jacks".

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Feeling tired and worn out? Has your car broken down? Then you are in need of the Irish slang word banjaxed. This term is widely used in Ireland to describe something —or someone— that is not working properly. It derives from the verb banjax, meaning "to damage or smash", although the exact origin of the word is not known.

Despite its defeatist connotation, it is an expression that is used colloquially and even humorously. So don't be afraid to drop a banjax here and there if you ever feel frustrated. It will take the weight off any problem!

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We didn’t want to end this article without saying goodbye —unlike the Irish! Well, to be honest, that’s a bit of a stretch. It’s not clear what is particularly Irish about the so-called Irish exit, meaning making a sneaky departure from a gathering without saying goodbye first. According to Dictionary.com, the expression can be traced back to Boston, Massachusetts, a city with a large Irish-American population.

Some suggest it has to do with Irish hospitality and the fact that their parties tend to go on for a long time, so it’s just easier to sneak out. Others associate it with the reserved personality of the Irish, who preferred not to draw attention to themselves. We’ll never know for sure, but if you ever find yourself feeling a bit tipsy it is okay to make an Irish exit to avoid revealing how drunk you really are!

SING IT WRONG

Leave Your Pizza Burning: 10 Famously Misheard Song Lyrics

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Have you ever realized that you’ve been belting out the wrong lyrics to a song for years? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. There’s even a term for phrases we mishear and apply new meanings to: mondegreens. Some misheard lyrics become so widespread that they leave multiple listeners convinced the words they hear are correct. Let’s dive into ten of the most famously misheard lyrics that have made us all hit pause and rewind.

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Singer and songwriter Sting of The Police composed "Message In a Bottle" to illustrate a state of loneliness and disconnection. The first verse talks about a castaway lost at sea, who was presumably involved in some accident or shipwreck. Sting’s distinctive British accent caused confusion in the first line after the song’s chorus. Some listeners wondered if he could have broken his nose in the shipwreck. However, the correct words are "A year has passed since I wrote my note," which makes more sense in a song called "Message In a Bottle."

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The 1971 song "Tiny Dancer" reminds many of a certain actor with a similar-sounding name. Elton John’s pronunciation perplexed some listeners years after the song’s release, especially when Tony Danza’s name became widely recognized for his TV roles. This mondegreen became so widespread in the U.S. that it even made it into an episode of Friends. In that scene, the character Phoebe says that she thinks the most romantic song ever written is the one where Elton John sings "Hold me close, young Tony Danza." For many years since then, people have been deliberately singing the wrong lyrics as a joke.

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"Beast of Burden," by The Rolling Stones, doesn’t mention any pizzas. Mick Jagger’s iconic singing style, however, can make every repetition of "beast of" sound like "pizza" and "burden" like "burning." These misheard lyrics have had listeners giggling since the song’s release in 1978. Some lines of the song were, in fact, improvised by Mick Jagger while Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood played their riffs. However, the line that gives the song its name was not improvised. "I’ll never be your beast of burden" were words written by Keith Richards to thank his band members for their support through hardships.

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Europe’s glam metal 80s anthem "The Final Countdown" was inspired by David Bowie’s song "Space Oddity" and the idea of leaving Earth for another planet. This is why it makes it unlikely for the singer to declare that the team is "herding for peanuts." However, that is what some people heard when Swedish vocalist and songwriter Joey Tempest sang "We’re heading for Venus" after the first chorus. In this case, the grandiose and epic reverb effect used in this space-themed song might be to blame.

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This mondegreen comes from Elvis Presley’s voice. In "Suspicious Minds," the hit song released in 1969, he is singing that he and his lover are caught in a "trap," not a "trout." This song about a couple who mutually fear betrayal was written and recorded by Mark James, but his version failed commercially. It was then offered to Elvis, who gladly included a version of it in his album From Elvis in Memphis. Apparently, however, his pronunciation conjured a funny image in the minds of some listeners.

Elvis’ version of "Suspicious Minds" was so successful that he went on to record another song by Mark James, which became just as memorable: "Always on My Mind."

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This particular mondegreen completely reverses the meaning of the song. "I’m A Believer," originally written and performed by Neil Diamond, caused a few laughs in the version by The Monkees. It was the biggest-selling single of 1967, recorded in just two takes. In this version, the band sang the exact same lyrics as Neil: "Then I saw her face, now I’m a believer." However, some listeners misheard the quote. People found the misinterpretation so funny that T-shirts are now sold with the incorrect phrase.

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Not even a timeless song like "Hotel California" is free from misunderstandings. It is the exact first phrase of the Eagles’ 1976 song. Famously, it describes an eerie hotel that seems idyllic but keeps its guests for life. The lyrics use many vivid and enigmatic images to narrate the story. However, someone driving with Heinz Cool Whip in their hair is not one of them. Instead, vocalist Don Henley begins the song with: "On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair." Despite the silly alternative lyrics, the song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978 and solidified the Eagles as one of the top bands of the era.

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This is what some people swear they can hear in Queen’s anthem "We Will Rock You." Instead, Brian May’s composition describes some aloof young man "kicking (his) can all over the place." You’ll notice the word "can" coincides with the clap in the iconic stomp-stomp-clap of the song. Freddie Mercury’s ardent performance, combined with the song's powerful beat, can easily make that final "n" sound like "t" to some listeners. The wrong lyrics have triggered jokes since then, and even today, memes and cartoons about offended cats are associated with the song.

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This one might be attributed to Kurt Cobain, both as the vocalist and lyricist of Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit." First, at the point of this line in the grunge anthem, he is screaming. Second, the lyrics of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are famously cryptic and abstract, and speak of societal containment, so this mondegreen isn’t very far-fetched. The original line "Here we are, now! Entertain us!" of the 1991 song is powerful enough, referring to the expectations placed on Cobain and his generation. However, one characteristic of grunge is slurring and mumbling in the vocal delivery, so misinterpretations are likely.

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ABBA’s pop hit, "Take a Chance on Me," was inspired by morning runs. During his jogs, band member Björn Ulvaeus used to repeat a tck-a-ch-sounding rhythm to himself. He proposed taking that idea to the studio, and thus the rhythmic chorus of this anthem was born. It became a worldwide hit in 1978.

Unbeknownst to them, that very same year, a young man in Hong Kong was having his breakthrough in a kung fu action comedy, Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow. His name was Jackie Chan, and some years later, when hearing ABBA’s song, some people would swear they could hear the superstar’s name being chanted dozens of times.