Among other things, one of the curiosities we’ve been faced with in Irish life is their words. Not just the accent, but the actual word usage. For instance, here’s a list of words we were familiar with, beside their Irish meanings.
Cookie = Biscuit
Biscuit = Scone
Chips = Crisps
Fries = Chips
Boots = Wellies
Car trunk = Boot
Diaper = Nappie
And those are just a few! It’s one of the funner parts of learning a new culture. Are there words you had to get used to at one point in the culture you live in? I’d be glad to hear them.
~JRJ
The Vagrant Gypsy Life 
7 comments
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October 7, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Lois Overholt
I love reading books that have a setting in Ireland, Scotland or England. Those words are used and I always enjoyed their terminology. Jenn, have you read DE. Stevensons books or the Miss Read books? I think you would like them. They aren’t printed any more but I find them on line and a lot of them are shipped from over there.
October 7, 2009 at 9:22 pm
thelongtrick
I’ve heard of them. I should check our local library or look online. It’s time to get some books in this house anyway. 🙂
October 8, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Brenda
Thanks for the language lesson part one. I’m trying to get this progression from cookie to scone straight. When is part two coming? 😉
October 8, 2009 at 1:54 pm
thelongtrick
Hey! You just come over here and find out! 🙂
October 10, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Violet
Funny! Reminds me of James Harriott books…shoot, there’s even vet stories on here! (=
Have a great day or night or whatever you’re about to have.(;
October 13, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Michelle
I thought I would never forget these words but I have. Trash is garbage and the trash can???? And I remember we used to pass a road sign that meant either rough road or loose gravel and for the life of me I can’t remember the words they used.
October 13, 2009 at 12:42 pm
thelongtrick
I forgot about those! Trash can = bin. “Bin” is also a verb, as in “Bin your gum, not 100 Euro” signs. They also use “litter” or “rubbish” for trash. I don’t remember the sign you mentioned, but one thing that took us awhile to figure out is all the “RAMP” signs in the city. It’s warning about speed bumps. 🙂