High Till Speak Norn Iron

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. When I first arrived in Belfast, I met a number of new people, many of whom greeted me by asking me “How’s the craic?” (pronounced ‘crack’). I assumed they weren’t asking me about the quality of illegal drugs in America, but I had no idea what the word meant. I later learned that craic has a multitude of meanings. Which of the following is NOT one of the meanings of craic? Music Cigarette A fun event or person Gossip

2. After solving the “craic” mystery, I moved on to another inscrutable phrase. What does the phrase “bout ye” mean? Can I borrow that? Behave yourself! How are you? Goodbye

3. I held a number of jobs while I lived in Belfast, including a stint as a preschool teacher (no one can teach you the finer points of a language like a three-year-old). One morning I happened to pass a classroom where a teacher was reading a story about something she pronounced “chim-blee”. What the heck is that? Part of a building A car An animal An article of clothing

4. One of my most embarrassing moments in Belfast happened when I made the mistake of asking a coworker for a ride (which, in Northern Ireland, essentially amounts to asking someone to sleep with you). What should I have asked for instead? A cart A slide A strap A lift

5. “Your man” is one of the most commonly uttered phrases in all of Northern Ireland. During my first few weeks in the country, I spent a great deal of time smiling and nodding, so as not to appear stupid, whenever the enigmatic “your man” was mentioned. To whom does the phrase refer? Your father Any male Your husband/boyfriend Your boss

6. While I was enjoying dinner with friends, our host asked if anyone would care for a bap. I was not familiar with the term, and was wary (having previously dined on such local delicacies as black pudding). To my relief, what did my host serve to the group? Dinner rolls Chocolate Beer Fried potatoes

7. Apparently I’m not the only person hurting British perceptions about Americans’ mental competence. While visiting a restaurant during our first week in the country my roommate ordered soda. What did she receive instead of a soft drink? Beer Bread Ice cream Baking soda

8. In Northern Ireland, a common way to address a group is “yous”. True False

9. What derogatory term do people in Northern Ireland frequently use to describe a tawdry, vulgar, or uneducated girl? Ginnie Susie Millie Gertie

10. Some of my favorite aspects of slang in Northern Ireland were the many ways people found to describe something as great. Which of the following words would NOT typically be used as a synonym for good? Peelers Grand Class Dead on