10 Important Irish Slang Terms The Doctor Needs To Know Now

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These Irish slang terms will really come in handy if the Doctor every finds himself on the Emerald Isle, and needs to defend it with snappy comebacks.

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, and to speak to the fact that we’ve never had an Irish Doctor, we’ve rounded up a handful of Irish slang. These 10 terms will give the Doctor a little street cred if he ever finds himself defending Ireland from menacing aliens.

Stop the lights!

An exclamation of surprise or shock. Think of using it instead of, “Holy cow!” or “Oh snap!”

Sleeveen

This may seem like an evil planet the latest Doctor Who villain is from, but it actually means a person who isn’t very trustworthy. We might say, “conman” or describe a sleeveen as being “shady.”

Reddener

This simply means blushing. If you get embarrassed and start to flush, you might be accused of “taking a reddener.”

Foostering

This word has several applications but it comes closest to meaning “tinkering around” or “knocking around.” For instance, if you’re waiting for someone to get ready to go out for the night, and you’re just finding things to do pass the time, you’re “foostering.”  You also might spend Saturday afternoon “foostering” around the house, cleaning, doing laundry, fixing a few broken things.

Chiseller

This is not someone who will carve your likeness out of marble. A chiseller is simply a small child.

Boxing the fox

This one is a little more antiquated than some, but this particular phrase means to steal fruit from an orchard. It can be applied to anyone who shoplifts, technically, but it’s use will certainly date you. For instance, “he was arrested and sent to jail for ‘boxing the fox'” is a little old timey, although relevant. The Doctor would need phrases from across time, just to be properly prepared.

Fluthered

While the Irish have more than a handful of phrases to describe being drunk, this might be the most elegant. While being “bolloxed” might describe a whole different sort of intoxication, being “fluthered” might be how you describe your Great Aunt Dolores gets at Christmas dinner.

Banjaxed

This is a handy word that, simply, means broken beyond repair. It can also mean without hope of a comeback or reuse. You could describe the toaster, after it exploded, as being “banjaxed.”

Related Story: Is it Time for an Irish Doctor? We’ve Had a Scottish One

Acting the maggot

Another way to say “clowning around” or “cutting up,” this phrase can vary in severity. It can be a lighthearted way to describe foolish behavior, or it can be a more serious admonishment, depending on tone.

Scanger

Although originally used for women, it’s since become a universal insult for an inferior or unreliable person. It’s modern use can be most closely defined as someone who is associated with petty crimes and thievery. It’s super insulting and you would never want to say this to someone unless you were ready to fight.