Irish Pub Slang to Learn Before Heading to the Bar This St. Patrick's Day

If fun isn't reason enough to learn Irish pub slang for St. Patrick's Day, the effort will endear you to any Irish nationals you may meet when you stop in at the bar.

While English is spoken in Ireland, there are slang words whose meaning you might not guess- or worse, might mistake for meaning something far different than what the speaker had in mind. Take the casual use of the word "blow" for example. The slang use of blow undoubtedly means something quite different to you than to your Irish friend. As far as what it means to you, that's your concern. When an Irish bar goer says he'll blow, he means treat, as in paying the tab.

Go get us a snug means snag a booth.

You might also want to know what Black Stuff is in case someone asks you to get him some. When used by an Irishman, Black Stuff means Guinness. And if he asks for a drop, a spot or a touch, remember the Irish propensity for speaking figuratively. An Irishman asking for a drop, spot or touch of drink is in no way requesting a small portion. Fill up his glass to the brim.

If an Irish friend advises that you're getting mouldy, locked, ossified, or stocious it's time to put down the glass or at least turn over your car keys to someone who isn't mouldy, locked, ossified, or stocious. Similarly, if someone calls you Motherless, he's saying you've over-imbibed.

When asked where the Jacks is, direct your new Irish friend to the restroom. That's where he'll be heading if he's off to slash.

Other people you might see in an Irish bar on St. Patrick's Day include amaddons (fools), bogtrotters or culchies (country folk), gits (b*******), gobdaws (idiots), gobshites (loudmouths), hardchaws (toughs) and headers (crazy people).

Now you're prepared to head on over to the local come St. Paddy's Day.