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Everyday English Common Phrases in Ireland and the UK (1)

Hero Image (Emerald Isle) by Evonne (CC BY 2.0)

One of the most interesting things I have learned from being a teacher here on italki is that although books and language courses are an invaluable resource when learning a new language, sometimes they lack the accessibility of everyday speech.

It’s so frustrating, isn’t it? You’re learning a new language, growing in confidence — and then all of a sudden someone uses a phrase which completely makes no sense to you!

To help you with this predicament, here are some of the most common phrases you will hear in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

“Flower”

When I was studying in the UK, I was quite confused the first time someone called me Flower. I was in a supermarket, packing up my shopping, when out of nowhere the shop assistant said, “Here’s your change, Flower.” It’s actually a very nice, casual “endearment” to female passerbies, but at the time I was quite shocked — and I’m a native English speaker.

“Do you know what I mean?”

Often pronounced “ju no wat I mean? ,” this common phrase is used in Ireland to ask the person it is addressed to: “Do you fully understand what I am saying?” Another phrase used in everyday language that holds a similar meaning is: “Are you with me?”