LEARNING THE LOCAL LINGO...
When out and about in our lovely town you will undoubtedly come across a few instances when you aren't quite sure what is being said...you see we do speak English in Northern Ireland...just not necessarily as you know it. So, to keep you on the 'straight and narrow,' here is a list of some of the most common terms and phrases used in Belfast and an explanation of their true meaning!
"Was it good craic/crack?"- If someone asks you this, they aren't actually enquiring after the quality of illegal substances at a venue...'craic' is used daily in Northern Irish lingo to refer to fun, good times, general merriment. You may like to reply with something along the lines of 'The craic was ninety!" which indicates that a good time was had by all!
"Do you want a poke?"- So, if you are strolling through the park on a pleasant summer's day in Belfast and your companion asks you this odd question, do not be alarmed! A 'poke' our word for an icecream on a cone. A '99' is the natives favourite summer treat purchased from 'Ice Cream Vans' in local parks and consists of creamy vanilla icecream on a wafer cone topped with rasperry sauce and a cadbury's flake- yummy!
"I'm going to get some messages."- If a native tells you this, they aren't referring to checking their e-mail for that day, what they actually mean is that they are off to the supermarket to get groceries!
Other terms you might come across when out and about are:
"The pictures": Cinema
"Away in the head" : Refers to someone who has apparently lost their senses.
Wasted; paraletic; plastered; blotto; blootered" : Drunk!
"He snogged her!" : He Kissed her!
"My mucker": My mate
"Magic; dynamite; cracker; banging; minted; quality" : Refers to something that's really good!
"An eejit" : An idiot.
"Theres some talent in 'ere!" : There are a lot of attractive people in this place!
This is by no means an exhaustive list and you will be amazed by the amount of words and phrases that Northern Irish people have invented or coined as their own!