Norn Iron – The Indecisive Eejit

I’m reposting this for those that missed it first time round!
There are lots of different variations of all languages. I love how quickly people pick up little phrases after only speaking to me for a short period of time. I laughed my head off the first time Shady told me he was “Feckin knackered”.

Paul will berate me sometimes because he says people won’t understand some of the phrases and slang I use and Lee has to ask me to slow down, to be fair I do have a tendency to ramble.

So in an effort to make the whole thing a little easier I have compiled a list of some of the most popular phrases. Feel free to use it for translation if there is ever something in one of my posts you cannot understand. This is only a few of a vast array, I will no doubt think of others and have to add them at a later date.

A Rough Guide to Norn Iron Speak!

Saying	Translation
Eejit	Yes it does mean an idiot in most cases, however if I said to you “You’re a fecking eejit”, I would mean it as in you’re a headcase, or a laugh. Idiot doesn’t necessarily mean stupid here, it can also mean funny!

Ach What About Ye.	Hello. How are you doing.

Aye	Yes

Catch Yerself On	Wise up.

Yer Having a laugh!	You cannot be serious.

Shut Yer Bake	Shut up or close your mouth. Bakebook = Facebook

Feck away aff!	Go away. Quickly.

Giz a buck at ye!	You look hot today. Would you like to come in for coffee.

Keepin Dick	Keeping a look out.

Away fer a feg!	I’m off to have a cigarette.

Alright Mucker	Hi mate

Lamps	Eyes – “I cried my lamps out at that film”

C’mere wee lad	Come over here young man

Spuds	Potatoes. “I need to get home and get the spuds on.

Yer Ma	Your Mother

Cheeky wee skitter!	Cheeky little imp

You’re heeds a marley	You’re not thinking clearly

Knackered	Tired or worn out.

Till	To. “I’m away till the shops”

The craic’s mighty / It’s great craic Wee	It’s a good laugh. It’s great fun. We say this with everything. Would you like a wee come of tea? Oh come in for a wee minute?

Comments welcome with variations of your own funny phrases!

So I had an idea, well I had it a couple of days ago, but I’ve been mulling it over . I enjoyed doing my A to Z post, the one where my two characters ended up going to the Zoo. It was fun to introduce you to some of the dialect from Norn Ireland, although it does lose some charm in the process of transferring it from brain to page. Hearing the scenarios spoken is much funnier.

So my idea was to give the characters names and possibly a regular spot on the page. The seeds are sown, I’m just not sure I have enough brain power to cultivate them into saplings….I figure it’s worth a shot tho.

I’ll try it out and see what happens. If I or for that matter you think it’s complete and utter tripe it will most likely be consigned to the trash can.

The Characters

Meet Billy and Seamus. Two fun loving eejits, neither of whom could pick up the prize for the brightest pixie in the forest. Well come on, there had to be a little of me in there somewhere.

They come from different religious divides, but are the best of friends and have been since childhood.

Both are currently unemployed, although to be fair it’s not through lack of trying. Times are tough and jobs are hard to come by these days. The lack of work however allows them the time to indulge in lots of mirth and mayhem…..hopefully (think brain think).

At the kitchen table……..

Billy: Seamus?

Seamus: Wha?

Billy: Are ye happy?

Seamus: Aye, why?

Billy: Are ye sure you’re happy Seamus, like, really sure?

Seamus: Aye I’m sure.

Billy: Well could ye tell your feckin face then!

For anyone who doesn’t understand I apologise, interpretation can be given on request.

Is it worth giving Billy and Seamus a shot?