“Like a wreck-the-head?” I ventured further, only to realise this was also very Irish. They’re adjacent to the worst insult in Irish slang which is “harmless”. If you just say the right combination of words in the right tone, you can get the outcome you want. [ Is it any wonder young women fantasise about becoming stay-at-home girlfriends?Opens in new window ]What Irish culture might consider harmless plámásing, Australians might see as an attempt to “piss down their back and tell them it’s raining”. Personally, I prefer abrasive honesty while still yearning for the mandatory 10-minute friendly chit chat at the start of Irish meetings.

Source: The Irish Times March 06, 2026 07:31 UTC