Irish Slang For Boy (Helpful Content!)

The most common Irish slang terms for boy are “fella” and “lad”. These can be used to describe a man or boy of any age and are by far the most commonly used. “Wain” is a term which can describe both boys and girls so is naturally very often used as a slang term for boys.

The Irish tend to keep it fairly simple when it comes to slang terms for boy, then.

“Fella” is probably the most widely used and quintessentially Irish—in both the North and the Republic you’ll hear men and boys referred to as fellas.

Other terms are definitely used and you’ll hear “lad” almost as much, and “wain to a lesser extent.

Let’s find out more.

In This Article

What do the Irish call boys?

The Irish have a few key terms for boys that you’ll want to know if you want to understand their slang.

“Boy” of course can apply to people of very different ages, so generally each slang term will be able to be applied to people of different age groups.

“Fella”, though, is by far the most common, catch-all, universal slang term used in Ireland to describe boys and men.

This one is used by just about everyone to some extent, or at least by someone they know.

Whether it’s a young boy, a college student, a middle aged man or an old man, “fella” works just fine and is probably one they use themselves.

“Did you see that fella over there?” for example.

“Lad” is probably the next most common Irish slang term for boy.

This one, equally, is used across Ireland by just about everyone.

However, its sense tends to be a bit more specific.

“Lad” is usually reserved for younger people and boys, rather than adults or old men.

That said, this is by no means a hard and fast rule.

Many old people will be referred to as lad in some contexts, just not as commonly.

Generally, a lad is a young boy.

So, though it doesn’t describe everyone, it can be used by everyone. “Let’s get the lads round for some drinks,” for example.

A more general slang term for a young child which is very often used for boys is “wain”.

It’s important to remember that this one is by no means exclusive to boys.

However, of course, it is so often used as a slang term for young boys that it’s important to mention.

The Irish may also use some other terms, but these are the most common.

Let’s find out where they come from.

Why do the Irish say “fella”?

“Fella” is by far the most common slang term for boy in Irish slang, so where does it come from?

You are probably aware that though this term has taken on a uniquely Irish character, it is by no means exclusive to Ireland.

Spelt in this way, the term is first attested in 1864, so it would have been in use by sometime before this.

It was a phonological spelling of the term “fellow”, and was originally used in England.

This older term meant a companion or comrade, and dates back to around the 13^th Century.

When exactly it spread to Ireland is very hard to say.

The native Gaelic of Ireland has been suppressed by the British for centuries, and was forcefully banned in 1616.

Why “fella” became so common in Irish English is very difficult to say.

In any case, it did, and now “fella” is the most common form of slang for the Irish to describe a man or boy.

Why do the Irish say “lad”?

The story of “lad” in Irish English is a very similar story.

The word itself is naturally very old.

It is first attested in the 14^th Century, where it simply referred to a foot soldier or sometimes a young male servant.

Eventually, in English, the meaning broadened to a general sense of any young boy or man.

Again, when or why this term became so common in Ireland is hard to say.

It is equally common in Scotland and England, so this is the most likely explanation—it was simply very common, so the Irish tended to adopt the term and it became popular as it has today.

Beyond that would be pure conjecture, really.

Why do the Irish say “wain”?

“Wain”, as I’ve said, is a more general term that can be applied to young children.

However, it is very often used as a slang term for boy. It derives from the terms “wee”, meaning small, and “ane”, meaning one—so “wee one” for a small child or boy.

This term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, and has been in use since at least the 17^th Century.

It’s difficult to trace this term precisely because of its slang nature.

Written attestations before this time are not to be found, but we can naturally assume it had been in established use for some time if a writer of that time was comfortable using it without explaining it.

No doubt, then, you’ve got a few options for slang ways to refer to boys in Ireland.

The most common slang terms for this word in Irish are simple and to the point, and generally shared with at least one other English speaking area.

“Fella” is really the only one you’ll need if you don’t want to confuse yourself—whether a young boy or an old man, this one is appropriate for just about anyone.

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Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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