We are a nation of liars, and we have a fair few up our sleeves; here are the most common Irish lies we use daily.
Irish people are notorious for telling little white lies daily, not with bad intentions, but rather out of politeness, since that is just one of the pivotal factors that makes up the unique Irish culture.
So, yes, we cannot deny we are a nation of liars, but we cannot help ourselves; that’s just how we have all been brought up, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
So, if you thought you didn’t fit into this category, let us see how many of these common Irish lies you can relate to.
10. Sorry I’m late – they’re not sorry at all
Irish people are as bad as Canadians when it comes to apologizing, but when they say they are sorry they are late – especially if it means running late for work – they probably aren’t. So take it with a pinch of salt.
9. No thanks, I’m grand – a common Irish lie
One of the most common Irish lies we tell daily is responding to an offer with ‘No, I’m grand’ when you actually wanted to say yes. In Irish politeness, it would seem rude to accept right away, so instead, we say no a thousand times and then eventually say yes.
8. I’m on my way – not even close
If an Irish person tells you they’re on their way, they most likely haven’t even left the house but don’t want to admit falling behind. Instead, they will generally show up late and blame it on the traffic or the bus breaking down.
7. You look gorgeous – sometimes it’s better to lie
Never take an Irish person’s word for it if they tell you to look gorgeous; they will say that even if you look horrendous. Our nation has an issue with being confrontational, so they would instead cover it up with lies.
6. Ah, I’m delighted for you – the hidden truth
Tell an Irish person some good news, and you will likely get this response. Are they really happy for you, though? Probably not! Our nation loves to put on a front when it comes to other people’s victories, but deep down, we are raging it’s not ours.
5. I don’t care about gossip – one of the biggest lies we tell
Never trust anyone Irish who tells you they have had enough of hearing the gossip because that is never the case. Irish people thrive on knowing the goings on of the local community, and the juicier the gossip, the better, making this one of the most common Irish lies we tell every day.
4. I will, yeah – meaning no in Ireland
While this may seem like a straightforward answer to a question, remember it is the opposite in Ireland. “I will, yeah” usually means “no” in Ireland, which makes it one of the most prevalent lies we use daily. So never take this as the final answer.
3. I’ll go out for one drink – not a chance
Yes, every Irish person has said this at one time or another, knowing full well that we are lying to ourselves and our mates. Going out for one drink always ends up being the craziest night out because of the spontaneity of it all, so never take this as the truth.
2. I did all my homework in school – a classic Irish fib
This is a popular one with Irish kids who are trying to get away with doing nothing when they get home from school. So, if you hear these words and you grew up in Ireland, you are well aware that it is a lie and that there is plenty of homework to be done.
1. Ah, it’s delicious, thanks – why do we always say this?
Whether in a restaurant or visiting someone’s house for food, Irish people will never fault a meal to avoid ill feelings. So, no matter how horrible it is, they will always pretend it’s lovely. One of the most common things to do instead is to complain to our partner or a friend after the meal.
So, there you have ten of the most common Irish lies we tell daily. Which one do you relate to the most?
