Irish Craic:  Do you Know How to Use
This Common Irish Expression?

If you’re like us, Irish craic is a bit of a mystery. The first time somebody asks you ‘what’s the craic?’ you might possibly burst out laughing (or sheepishly hike up your jeans...)!

But fair warning – neither response is the best way to show your Irish side!

Craic is a quintessentially Irish expression, a word that is used in so many contexts it can be difficult to define – even for the native Irishman or Irishwoman.

Gaelic in origin, the word is pronounced ‘crack,’ and at its most basic level it means something more or less like ‘fun.’

Irish Craic Has Multiple Meanings

Not only is it pronounced 'crack,' but to make it even more mysterious, it is sometimes spelled 'c r a c k' - even when the Irish meaning is intended.

(So, to keep you on your toes, we'll go ahead and use both spellings to mean the same thing.)

To use the Irish expression 'craic' (crack) correctly, you must think of it in social terms.

Crack is interactive, laughing, singing, typically with drinking and / or music. It’s not something you say to describe reading a good book or taking a brisk nature walk, for example (fun as those things may be!)

It implies a complete absence of distrust, a sense of connection and engagement between a group of people who have put the ‘real world,’ aside and are simply enjoying each other for enjoyment’s sake.

It means laughing, banter, enjoying each others' company.

To ‘be good crack,’ is to be that kind of person, as in ‘she’s great crack when she's had a few (pints).’ Good Irish pubs, good concerts, good parties are considered to be ‘good crack.’

Other expressions you may hear:

“What’s the crack?”

“Where’s the crack?”

“How’s the crack?”

“It was great crack.”

How is this Unique Word Actually Used?

The word is used not only in everyday social banter, but in many aspects of Irish culture, appearing for example in popular Irish music such as ‘The Crack Was Ninety (Mighty) in the Isle of Man.”

The word is also used to mean ‘buzz,’ or ‘gossip,’ as in – ‘what’s the crack?’ – similar to ‘what’s up?’

Even in this case, the question is really an Irish invitation to engage and have fun – not to just report the news.

If somebody asks you this question – and if you visit the Emerald Isle it is very likely somebody will – recognize it as the genuine sign of interest that it is.

The Irish asker wants to know you – who you are, what you doing, what you may know or may have heard that would be interesting to talk about.

Replying with an offhand ‘not much,’ or ‘same ol’ same ol’’ will put a quick end to what might otherwise have been good Irish craic!

To understand Irish craic - and other Irish slang - in a bit more detail, we invite you to visit our section on Irish slang words and phrases here.

Want More Irish Sayings?

It is probably obvious - at Irish Expressions, we love Irish wit and wisdom!  Knowing the perfect Irish 'thing to say' on any occasion gives us a deeper sense of connection with Ireland, wherever in the world we happen to be!

To help you build your own personal Irish vocabulary, we have over the years created many downloadable, share-able Irish games, puzzles, recipes, songbooks, quizzes, and much, much more.

Want them right now?  Keep reading to learn about "Your Irish Expressions Playbook."

That Was Fun!  What Now?

Irish craic is at the heart of Irish culture and traditions.  Knowing how to ask and answer the question 'what's the craic?' is a right of passage to expressing your personal Irish side!

For more information of this type, you may want to pay a visit to our site on Irish Trivia and Traditions!

More Fun With Irish Expressions

Congratulations on learning more about the Emerald Isle and discovering what we like to call your "Irish Side."  You may be thinking "I'd love to actually VISIT Ireland but that's really not in the cards right now.  What am I supposed to do with the stuff I just learned?"

Well never fear!  Since 2009 we have collected all of the best printable, shareable resources we could find, to help you put your new knowledge of Ireland to good use.  We've put them all together in a single download we call "Your Irish Expressions Playbook," which contains over 50 pages of games, puzzles, recipes, songbooks, quizzes, travel guides and much, much more.

Purchase them ALL for one small price, print as many copies as you like and share them with your friends - with no limitations!   But order soon - we are already adding to the Playbook for future editions and this price will not last long. 

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