Vernacular Musings: Part 2

We continue to see and hear expressions in Irish English that crack us up. Some of our recent favorites:

- MAN TISSUES - these are sold next to the Kleenex/facial tissues at the grocery store. We are tempted to buy a box. Are they simply bigger squares? Heavier paper?

- DRINK DRIVING - not drunk driving.

- LAZER CARD - this is a debit card, but if you say debit, they have no idea what you mean. And U.S. debit cards only work at the ATMs here; the lazer card is tied to Irish bank accounts only.

- QUEUE - anywhere you should form a line, they'll be the "queue here" sign.

- ANTI-CLOCKWISE - you guessed it: There is no counter-clockwise here.

- LIVING SALAD - do we have these in the U.S.? A mixed salad that is growing in a pot next to the bagged salad mixes. You cut the salad yourself when you're ready to eat.

Another funny thing...people here don't just say, "Bye" or "Bye, bye." It's usually at least three "byes" and the third or fourth one is sort of trailing off in sound. We'll be hanging up the phone after we said, "Bye, bye" and you'll still be hearing the other person saying his/her multiple "byes" as you hang up. Interesting.

Vernacular Musings: Part 1

One of the most entertaining things about living in another country is learning the intriguing language differences - even when living in another English-speaking country. Here are some of the interesting words and phrases in comparison to U.S. English:

- FAT LANE - the walking path on the promenade next to the bike lane
- DELPH - set of dishes (plates, bowls, cups)
- HOB - stove
- CLOTHES HORSE - clothes dryer (wooden or metal standing rack)
- BOOT - car trunk
- SALOON CAR - sedan
- JUGS - pitchers
- TROLLEY - cart
- LITTER or REFUSE - trash
- OFFIE - an off-license (e.i. wine and liquor store)
- CHIPS - french fries
- CRISPS - potato chips
- BISCUITS - cookies
- SCONES - biscuits
- CRAIC - (pronouced "crack") / having a good time
- COOKERY - cooking
- CAR PARK - never with -ing here / parking isn't ever used
- MIND - "watch" / "mind your children" or "mind the gap"
- GARDA - police or GARDAI (plural)
- LIFT - elevator
- PROGRAM - training schedule
- TRAFFIC CALMING - traffic slowing down