Cork City (pop. 240,000) may be far smaller than Dublin, but to a Corkman there isn't even the remotest possibility for comparison; Cork is simply superior. Any native corkonian will tell you that his beloved Cork provides all the conveniences of a big city but retains its small-town, leisurely pace of life. There's a thriving arts culture in Cork, where you'll find the Crawford Art Gallery, the most important gallery outside the capital, and the refurbished Cork Opera House, packing sell-out seasons and this year cork has been chosen to be the european capital of culture

For some reason unclear to the rest of the people in ireland, Cork people refer to their city as the real capital. Whether our claim is legitimate or not, we're certainly the most colourful and "unique" folk you're unlikely to ever encounter, and this is reflected in the amount of slang language that has developed here.

We are known for our particularly dry sense of humor. Cork slang is so rich, and so particular to Cork, that it makes even other Irish feel out of the loop. While it's said that kissing the Blarney Stone (at nearby Blarney Castle) gives Corkonians their gift of the gab, in truth, most Corkonians have never kissed it. I always have to laugh when I see all the american tourists getting off the buses in blarney, dressed from head to toe in green tracksuits to show thier "irishness" and shouting at the top of thier voices: O MY GOD WE'RE IN BLAAAARNEY, ARE YOU IIIIRISH! In reality we're looking at them with amazement and amusement. (if there is one sure way of recognising a tourist in ireland its if they are dressed up in green)

You will survive in Cork unnoticed if you're an irish person by placing either the word "boy" or the meaningless word "la" at the end of each sentence. Peppering sentences with "like" or "Like eh" can also help. For example, two corkonians might be overheard saying:"Like eh, did you see the match on the telly last night boy?" To which the reply would come:"I did la." Foreigners outside ireland trying to imititate us could be interpreted one of two ways, as a insult or being funny, so its usually best not to risk it!

The following are the most common slang phrases in cork:
C'mere = Excuse me

I will,yeah = no

What's the story fella? = How are you?

how's the form? =How are you?

how's it hanging? = How are you?

You would yeah =You wouldn't dare

Here la = here you are

there la =it's over there/look over there

State a him la = He looks bad

Ah/awe) now sham = thats good

I claim ya = I would really like to engage in a fight with you.

Pure = very

Like = this word is used at least once in every Cork sentence.

Like eh = Used as a hesitation at the start of a sentence.

Nawful =terrible

Bate = beat uphave a lash off =have a go

Lash into hash =Smoke cannibas

Be wide = be careful

Be dog wide = be extra careful

How bad bhoy = good

Bhoy = man/person.

Brasser/stella/tramp/trollup = prostitute

Jammy Rag = tampon

Wan/bure = female

Young wan = female child

Fella/fein/ feeno/your man = male/guy

Small fella = Male child

Mam, ole laid, ole wan = mother

Sham-feen = macho or hard-man

Snout/gonker/snoz = nose

Gowl(Ghoul) = Stupid person

Gimp = idiot

Shades/law/blue bottles/pigs =Garda

Pig stie = Garda station

Gatch = walk

Gammy =deformed

Jag/doing a line/jaggin/meetin a wan/with = going out with

Gatt/gattin/on the tear/on the piss = drink/drinking

Reef/reefin/mangle = beat up/beating up

Lamp/skanse/la = look

Droppin/Waz = need to go to the toilet/restroom

Wah /Whacker = not a nice person

Norrie = Person from Northside of the Cork City.

If you want a small dose of cork humour and experience what must seem like an almost foreign to people outside ireland click here

# posted by Noel Burke @ 10:02 AM