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While you might think of Irish people as English speakers, it’s important to remember that their way of communicating is heavily influenced by their native language — Gaelic. Therefore, you’ll hear plenty of foreign phrases hanging around an Irish pub. If you’re hoping to join in the fun, use the following guide to understand some of Ireland’s most common slang terms.

3 Slang Words You Can Practice in an Irish Pub

1. Pint of Gat

If you’re visiting an Irish pub, your experience won’t be authentic until you’ve had a pint of Guinness. In Ireland, they’ve  affectionately dubbed this dark, chocolatey beer a “pint of Gat.” Ask for one of these if you’re ready to enjoy a full-bodied drink, or ask for a glass of “minerals” — soft drinks — if you’ve had enough for the evening.

2. A Whale of a Time

irish pubWhen you’ve had a fun, eventful evening with your friends at an Irish pub, you’ll look back on the night with fond memories. As you tell people the story of your get-together, say you had a “whale of a time.” This one’s easy to remember—if you had to measure the amount of fun you had, you could say the experience was as big as a whale!

3. Chips

While it might seem like the simplest, this Irish slang term is easily confused across the pond. In Ireland, potato chips are referred to as crisps — which pairs well with their texture and the sound they make when you bite into them. While they still use the word chips in Irish pubs, they use it to describe what Americans know as French fries. If you fancy a snack with your pint of Gat, just ask if there any cheese chips on the menu.

 

If you’re craving an authentic Irish pub experience close to home, stop by O’Brien’s Irish Pub and Grill of Plant City and Wesley Chapel, FL. Since 2007, they’ve been winning hearts with their happy hour specials, live music, and mouthwatering menu items. Call their Plant City location at (813) 764-8818 or their Wesley Chapel site at (813) 973-9988 to inquire about specials, and visit the website to browse their craft beer selections.

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