Of course – we don’t even know we say it!! Or – that everyone else on the planet mightn’t actually follow what we’re saying!
But it covers SO much…..
And what is it?
GRAND!
Its meaning in the greater world? – magnificent, imposing, important ….
Well………..
Not here!
No – the Irish context is a tad different…
1.Acknowledging Something –
So I’ll meet you there at 5.00pm
Grand
Lunch will be on the table in 5 minutes
Grand
2.In the Shop
Can I help you with anything?
No. I’m Grand – just having a look.
3. Ah no – you’re Grand
When someone apologises for something minor – like bumping into you by mistake in the pub. But of course if they don’t apologise – well then it’s certainly NOT grand!!
4.In the Restaurant
No- you’re Grand / That’s Grand
To waiter – meaning ‘keep the change’
5. Feck it – it’ll be Grand
Means you’ve tried to sort something or fix something but only did a half job of it!
6. That’s Grand now
It’s good enough / doesn’t need anything else done to it!
7.You’re Grand
This is a NO NO when someone asks you how they look. You NEVER say ‘you’re grand‘. That’s like telling them they look fine… and we all know what that means!!
8.No I’m Grand thanks ….
If someone offers you another drink etc. but you’ve had enough.
9. Grand. Thanks
Finishing off a phone call to the Pizza delivery or a query line etc!
10. Sure you’ll be Grand
When someone’s upset/stressed about something….
So you see – GRAND – in the Irish context, really means anything BUT grand!!
Grand So!
Quite informative 😊🤔 LOL 😂🤣
Ha – hope it comes in useful one day!!!
😂
That was a Grand post. !!!!
I’ll forgive you for that Barry – but just about!!!😅 😂 🤣
That’s a grand post Marie
Only Grand!!!!! I’m devastated!!😅 😂 🤣
Well, thanks for that. Who knew one word could be so useful – yet so confusing ;)?
Very useful indeed – I think the word pretty much covers every possible situation! It must be confusing to others… but we just don’t notice!
Classic!
😅 😂 🤣
Amusing post, Marie…and we’ve all heard the Irish use it, one way or another.
I came up with 10 cases without even thinking about it!!! Imagine the total list of usages!!
It is a very interesting Grand indeed !
😅 😂 🤣
A grand post indeed 🙂 ☘ This reminds me of trying to explain some Geordie terms to people like canny!
Language is a beautiful thing!
I love this!
Good stuff!!! Glad you enjoyed!!
What a wonderful word to use in all these situations! Really fun to read about it’s usage. 🙂
It IS a wonderful word but we honestly don’t even hear ourselves use it… Today alone, I don’t know how many times I heard it when out and about..
It is amazing how Irish people have reinterpreted the word ‘grand’ and given it their own meaning, a fact which often results in confusion for foreign visitors. And it’s also amazing how versatile the term can be 🙂
Did you notice it when you first arrived Aiva? And is it part of your vocab now??
I did notice it but never ended up using it as my very first boss’s son-in-law was a teacher at Trinity College, and he made me learn all the proper English phrases and useful Idioms ( including examples, sentences and meanings) before I learned Irish slang. He also taught me to get rid of filler words, such as “um,” ”like,” “ah,” or “you know.” I am still thankful for all he did to educate me 🙂
That was a wonderful opportunity wasn’t it!! I’m sure you’ve picked up some Sligo slang since then!!!
In Ireland is the word also used to signify 1,000? (“My new car cost me 30 grand”), or is that a British and North American thing only?
It certainly is … 30 grand here means 30,000 Euros!
So Eire grand is a more subtle indication of satisfaction, correct. Th word is totally obsolete in current American culture.
That’s about right.
Funnily enough, while it’s in use here all the time, I can’t say that I’d be aware of it’s absence in other English speaking countries – I’ve been to the UK, Canada, US, Australia etc… and can’t say that I missed it. We just don’t think about it!
very interesting!
😅 😂 🤣