Common Irish Lingo, Just in Time for St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, it's time to brush up on some common Irish lingo.

Sure, you know the shamrock (seamróg), but how about a shillelagh? Are you familiar with this traditional walking stick of Ireland?

You'd recognize a dúidín if you spotted one, Begorrah (by God), but did you recognize that name for the traditional Irish clay pipe?

Have you heard of the bodhran (Irish drum) or the uilleann pipes (national bagpipes of Ireland)?

St. Patrick's day is known as Lá 'le Pádraig. On this day, it's common to see slogans like Éirinn go Brách, meaning "Ireland forever," and Beannachtaí na Féile Páraic oraibh!, "St. Patrick's Day blessing upon you."

Everyone is granted honorary Irish status on the patron saint's special day, so be prepared for Cead Mille Failte - a hundred thousand welcomes- when you enter a pub. You'll be regaled with Bua na cainte, thegift of gab, celebrated with raised glasses and cries of Sláinte (to your health), and approached with Tabhair 'om póg, is Éireannach mé. The latter means "kiss me, I'm Irish," of course.

All this Irish lingo may be for naught if you have no appreciation of Irish culture, including its rich folklore. The cultural icon most associated with St. Patrick's Day of course is the leprechaun. The leprechaun has attained a certain undeserved infamy; it's actually the cluricauns who comprise the naughty branch of the leprechaun family. It's them who cause objects to go missing and who raise a ruckus in the night. The leprechaun is a bit sneaky but only if he happens to be caught by a human and needs to supplement his wits with a few tricks to ensure his release. Then he may offer a silver shilling which magically returns to his coin pouch or a gold coin which disintegrates once separated from its leprechaun owner.