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A Beginners' Guide On How To Speak Tipperary

A Beginners' Guide On How To Speak Tipperary

There are words, phrases and entire syntax that are unique to each county in Ireland.
They differentiate you from your college pals and can guarantee that you will received baffled looks from any tourist who hears you uttering them. We love them all the same and think everyone should love them just as much so here's your beginners' guide on how to speak Tipperary.

Ah, the lovely Tipperary. Home to The Rock of Cashel, Semple Stadium, Hayes' Hotel, The Galtee Mountains, Una from The Saturdays and Johnny B & The Boogie Men it really is the number one county in Ireland. After all, it's not nicknamed the Premier County for nothing (I swear I'm not biased).

If you're worried that you won't fit in the next time you visit Jim O' The Mill pub in Upperchurch because you can't speak Tipp culchie, fret not, The College Times has got you covered.

Well (boi)

Another word for "Hello"

Example: "Well boi, any news?"

How's she cuttin'?

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Used as a salutation. Another way of asking "how are you?"

Example: "How's she cutting Mary?"

Devil a bit

Not doing anything

Example: "Were you up to much last night Paddy?" "No, devil a bit John"

Ahh lads!

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Used to point out to friends or people around you that you acknowledge something

Example: "Ah lads! Did you see the state of your one in the dress outside Costcutters?"

For the Shneer

for fun/for a laugh/for the craic

Example: "Will we go to the party in Ryan's for the shneer?"

Pure fried

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Used to show frustration over something or about someone

Example: "He wouldn't shut up! He has my head pure fried"

Pure right class (add 'fair' for extra emphasis)

Something that was unreal/really really good

Example: "That match was fair pure right class"

Cum onta fuck

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A way to tell someone to hurry up

Example: "Will you come onta fuck or we'll be late"

Can I've the arse of that?

Asking someone for the end of their food, usually a bar of chocolate

Example: "Can I've the arse of that drifter?"

There's fear of him

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Nothing wrong with someone/not as bad as it seems

Example: "Jimmy twisted his ankle but sure there's fear of him, he'll be grand"

A gawk

The act of being nosey

Example: "Here lads, we head into town for a bit of a gawk?"

Hayes bejaysus

Another name for Hayes Hotel (used with affection)

Example: "Will we go to Hayes bejaysus on Saturday?"

*We understand that some of these are not exclusive to Tipperary due to the young population spreading their wings and heading to far off counties for college and sharing the Tipperary language, however I can confirm they are all used on a regular basis throughout the fair county.

Did we leave out any major ones? Tell  us any Tipperary phrases we might have forgotten in the comments.

Kyle Mulholland

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