Special Sub-Topic: 'Give it a lash' Click Here To Play: 'Give it a lash'

Give it a lash means which of the following ?

Try something. This is a very common expression which began in sport and which I have adopted to put a title on my quiz.

If you have a gawk, what are you doing?

Look. In Dublin it means to look but in Cork, it means to be afflicted with gastric flu. So care is needed when using the expression.

Sarah was drunk, which word would signify that?

All of these (Ossified, Fluthered, Maggotty). To be in that state means to be really comotose from drink.

'You can't have a fag here', means no smoking.

T. Following a controversial law here in Ireland the public street and your own home are the only places left for a 'fag'.

He was fleeced means which of the following?

Being cheated. This is usually said when someone loses money as a result of an underhanded scheme.

Would you be happy if someone gave you a funt?

N. Definitely not. A funt is a good kick and as you can guess comes from sport when someone kicks the ball with extra force.

Which of these areas would be most familiar with the expression 'the going is hard'?

Horse racing. This is one of the expressions which fascinates, it means the turf for racing is very dry and the pace of racing horses will be affected. The going is soft means the turf is wet and soggy.

If an Irish person says to 'Get away out of that', do they mean you to go?

N. This is an expression of disbelief, frequently used in gossip of the more salacious variety. They mean you to stay and continue in the same vein.

'Come on lads', does this expression apply to boys only?

N. This is a Cork expression and covers all ages, and both sexes. Of all expressions it causes the most fun with tourists.

'Oh! it's bucketting' refers to which of these weather phenomena?

Rain. This is a very easy one. Ireland is the first landfall for weather systems when they cross the Atlantic, so rain features too widely in our spoken language.

Have a ball of malt, which alcoholic drink are you being offered?

Whiskey. This refers to a measure of whiskey. Uncle Arthur is a glass of Guinness.

If a Dublin person says 'it was bleedin' awful', was bloodshed involved?

N. Bleedin' is used as a strong form of very. One of my favourite examples of this is to describe a team's poor performance as 'bleedin' brutal'.

Would Sally be insulted if she was described as a bit of a 'mouth'?

Y. This is a term of great contempt, meanings vary from being a know it all to a slanderous gossiper.

Has every pub got a jax in Ireland?

Y. A jax is a toilet.

If you're a proper 'chancer', what are you?

Liar. This is insulting and usually leads to a big argument. Sources: A lifetime using these expression and watching with a twinkle the puzzlement of other 'English' speakers. 'Slanguage' by Bernard share.