I have divided this section into several sub-sections:

meanings | greetings and responses | superstitions | practicalities | culture | archived guest sayings |

I would like to express my gratitude to Richard Langlois of Detroit, USA, for his suggestions and encouragement which resulted in this page. Chris O'Dania from Texas inspired the 'Y'all/yous' page - thanks Chris.

• Send me your 'Guest saying' in the interests of global understanding but check my site to see if it has been submitted! Use this form and I'll post any suggestions on this page. The only conditions is that the saying/phrase must be in English and suitable for all ages and nationalities. It should not be abusive or harmful in any respect. If it needs explanation, don't forget to include it. I'm more than willing to acknowledge you but please let me know what I should list, eg, full name with e mail link, Christian name only, pseudonym.

SAYINGS WITH INTERPRETATION (1 April 2008)

• "He made a bags of it" = made a mistake, balls-up.
• "Give him/her the bull's rush" = Give someone false information, distract someone, send someone on an unnecessary errand or journey
• "I'm back in the land of the living" = I have returned to civilization (Dublin), often said following a visit to the Irish countryside.
• "I'll tell you a story about Johnny McGory..." = Once-common opener for Dubliners when beginning to tell a tale, particularly to children. NEW
• "Jammy beggar" = someone who has got lucky, had good fortune etc.
• "You can't have your bread buttered on both sides..." = It's not possible for you to have all the options...a negotiating ploy, frequently with Irish teenagers!
• "As true as I'm riding this bike" = This is said when you're not riding a bike, but emphasises your sincerity!
• "Make a hash of it" = make a mistake, error, a major cockup, etc.
• "Suits you down to the ground..." = You look good in those clothes or a remark on something comfortable (it could also be a good situation).
• "Arse about face" = the wrong way around, inverted; often used when someone is making a mess of a situation.
• Colour-inspired sayings: "I'm blue in the face" = frustrated.
• "Green with envy" = jealous.
• "Black as the Ace of Spades" = someone dirty, occasionally a person with dark skin. The reference is to a playing card.
• "Red letter day" = special or unique day.
• "He's yellow-bellied" = a coward.
• "I'd like to meet him/her in the flesh" = Someone you would like to physically greet and meet, such as a hero, someone you write to but have never seen etc.
• "They're tanked up..." = They have drunk a lot of alcohol! The reference is to a tankard, a container for drink and is nothing to do with the military!
• "They're quite sticky about that..." = They apply the rules strictly, they are very particular about something, usually regulations or enforcement.
• "C'mere till I tell ya" = Come here and let me speak to you! Non-Irish people laugh at the context of this saying since it is usually said to someone beside you and indicates something important about to be revealed (such as gossip!).

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Guest sayings

Many thanks to you all:

I don't get many sayings from India, so this one is particularly special and beautiful - thank you, kanishka.

Love is like a flower, it blooms into a larger bond and then sprouts new bonds

Roseann kindly send this great drink saying from her Irish gran::

A whiskey when you're well makes you sick and a whiskey when you're sick makes you well!!

Here's an anonymous Irish saying:

...and I'll shake my fist at ya' for an hour o' so.... = as if to say someone is annoying the speaker.

Paula Dornan, a former Dub, sends these typical and famous Dublin sayings:

Jaysus, he's thick as two short planks = he's stupid.

What do you want me to do about it put on a black hat and say mass? = I can't solve your problem! The allusion is to the all-powerful priest in Irish society.

Patricia M***** from California whose gran used to say this:

Were you born in a barn? = directed at someone who leaves doors open, lets the heat/cold escape or enter! NEW

Long-standing pal Tony Ward from Dublin (now in Sussex) sends this Dub classic:

will you whist up? = will you be quiet?

Jim Smith (USA): Now you're cooking with gas = you understand the idea, you're getting the hang of it!

Ned Carlson (Chicago): "Did you hear about the Irishman who walked out of a pub?"

"No, I haven't"

"I haven't either!"

Steven Derbyshire (Edgesworthtown County Longford):

Capering = to go out dallying with the opposite sex whether married or not!

Michael Mac Fheorais (Dublin):

Caught rapid = caught red handed.

Frank (Wales):

Well tickle me tits til Friday! = it is no big deal