Irish phrases can be a little tricky and sometimes confusing to decipher. That is why we are here to help uncover the meaning and history of the popular phrase, “away with the fairies”.
Irish people are not only known for their witty sense of humour, gift of the gab, and love for the black stuff.
Rather, they are world-famous for their phrases and sayings, which have travelled across the globe.
These days, we use many traditional sayings without actually knowing their history. Instead for the fact that we’ve grown up hearing them, so we know when they fit in perfectly to a conversation.
Irish sayings go way back. This often means that they have a great story to tell and the Irish phrase, “away with the fairies”, is no exception.
So, are you familiar with the popular phrase but are not entirely sure what it’s all about? If so, then let us give you an overview.
The meaning – off in a dream world
“Away with the fairies” has to be one of the most used Irish phrases ever. What we know it to mean today is that someone is distracted, a little bit mad, or basically living in another world.
However, if you asked an Irish person to explain the meaning of this popular phrase, they might use words such as mad, tapped, or even demented.
Of course, the Irish are just being light-hearted when they use these words, and they don’t literally mean them. Instead, it is their way of describing how someone acts as if they’re in a dream world.
In other countries, they use the phrase, “Off with the fairies”. However, ‘Away with the fairies’ is the main version you will hear in Ireland.
If someone is said to be acting a little out of the ordinary or has some foolish opinions, an Irish person might say something along the lines of, “Ah, he’s a sound lad, but, by god, is he away with the fairies”.
It’s all well to know the meaning of this phrase, but we bet you’re wondering where it all started. So, let’s delve a little deeper.
The story behind the Irish saying – where did it all begin?
The phrase as we know it wasn’t actually used in this way until the 20th-century. However, the story and belief about what the phrase was based on go further back.
You could say that, just like modern days when we obsess over movies and TV shows whose storyline revolves around aliens or zombies, people in Ireland back in the day used to believe in people being taken away with the fairies.
People would regularly share mythical stories about fairies appearing from another dimension, a parallel universe, or even from six feet under to take people away.
Just like leprechauns, the mythical creatures native to Ireland, many people also believed in other similar creatures such as elves and, of course, fairies.
When stories like this were told in Ireland, the fairies were referred to as ‘The Sidhe’. These were the traditional Irish fairies; it was said that if someone was taken away with them and returned a few days later, they acted a little off.
Some would say that these people would act as if years had gone by and could not have a sensible conversation or think clearly.
This is why, when someone these days acts in this way, the phrase, “Away with the fairies,” still fits, even if it’s not as literal as it used to be.
Similar phrases – and the list goes on
Of course, there are plenty more phrases where that came from. However, interestingly enough, there are a few that have a somewhat similar meaning.
Some well-known phrases include “Mad as a hatter”, “Off your rocker” and “Not all there”. Other favourites are “Head in the clouds”, “One sandwich short of a picnic”, and “As daft as a brush”.
With this in mind, it’s safe to say that the Irish have a love for phrases, especially ones that appear to make no sense.
However, when you delve deeper, you realise that each and every one of them has a meaning, an origin, and a pretty good story to go with it.
