Belfast words & sayings
A light-hearted guide to the Belfast words, sayings and local lore you'll come across in the city and around it, and how (not) to use them on a date.
Belfast words
- What's the craic?
- A friendly way of asking how you are and what's been happening. "Craic" (said "crack") means fun, news and good company, and it's one of the best known words in Ireland.
- In dating: Being told a date was "great craic" is about as good a review as you'll get.
- Wee
- Small, but in Belfast it's used for almost anything: a wee coffee, a wee walk, a wee bite to eat. It often just softens whatever comes next.
- In dating: Asking someone out for "a wee coffee" sounds relaxed and low pressure, which is the whole point.
- Aye
- Yes. It's said all day long, and the tone matters: "aye, right" can mean the exact opposite.
- In dating: An "aye" to a second date is the word you're hoping for.
- Catch yourself on
- A very Northern Irish way of telling someone to stop being silly or to get a grip. Said with a smile, it's friendly.
- In dating: If a friend tells you to catch yourself on before you send a message, they mean you're overthinking it.
- Bout ye
- A greeting, short for "how about you?" It's the Belfast way of saying hello.
- In dating: A first message that starts with "bout ye" feels friendly and local.
- Dander
- A relaxed walk or stroll with no particular destination.
- In dating: "Fancy a dander round the Botanic Gardens?" is a first date invitation with no pressure.
Belfast lore and landmarks
- Titanic Belfast
- The visitor attraction in the Titanic Quarter, on the site of the shipyard where the Titanic was built. It opened in 2012.
- In dating: Plenty to talk about, and the waterfront outside is good for a walk afterwards.
- Samson and Goliath
- The two huge yellow cranes at the Harland and Wolff shipyard, which you can see from across much of the city.
- In dating: Spot them from the Lagan or from up on Cave Hill and you'll know you're in Belfast.
- Cave Hill and Napoleon's Nose
- The hill above north Belfast, with a basalt cliff said to look like Napoleon lying on his back. Belfast Castle sits on its slopes.
- In dating: A walk up Cave Hill, with the city and Belfast Lough spread out below, is a good first date on a clear day.
- St George's Market
- The Victorian covered market in the city centre, with food, crafts and music at weekends.
- In dating: Wander the stalls together and share something to eat. Check opening days before you go.
- The Lagan
- The river that runs through the city, with a towpath that follows it out towards Lisburn.
- In dating: A walk along the towpath is flat, easy and pretty, and you can turn back whenever you like.
- The Ulster fry
- The traditional cooked breakfast, with bacon, sausage, egg, soda bread and potato bread.
- In dating: A weekend fry is a good, low key first meeting, and hard to get wrong.
- Botanic Gardens and the Palm House
- The public park in south Belfast, home to the Victorian Palm House and next door to the Ulster Museum.
- In dating: Free to walk round, easy to find and there's always something to look at.
- The Cathedral Quarter
- The area around St Anne's Cathedral, known for its bars, cafés, live music and street art.
- In dating: Find out who thinks which mural is best. It's an easy way to spend an afternoon walking and talking.
- The Belfast Giants
- The city's ice hockey team, who play at the arena in the Titanic Quarter.
- In dating: Find out early whether they're a fan. A night out at a game is a lively second date.
Words change from Belfast to the towns around it, and what you hear in East Belfast isn't always what you hear in Bangor or Ballymena. Got a favourite we've missed? Tell us when you join.
Don't be shy. Go and meet someone.
Put a few of these to use with singles who'll know exactly what you mean.