Ireland is synonymous with great Guinness and fantastic craic, so chances are you'll be spending a fair bit of time in the pub. But for the uninitiated, the local lingo can be baffling.

Expression: In fairness.
Really means: I'm too polite to say this flat-out, so I'll cushion it.
Example: "In fairness, Joe, you're an idiot."

Expression: Your man/your woman.
Really means: The man/woman being spoken about, even if you've no connection to them.
Example: "Your man Joe is an idiot." (And you're thinking, "I don't even know Joe".)

Expression: Stop.
Really means: Go on (usually to oneself as part of a monologue - even if you haven't interrupted).
Example: "...the barman locked the doors and we kept drinking. Ah, stop. And then we're all pouring pints. Ah stop! Then we crack open the Baileys, and by this time the sun's coming up. Stop, stop! And then..."

Expression: How long are you here?
Really means: ?! Do they mean how long *have* you been here, or how long *will* you be here? Easiest to answer both ways, to be sure.
Example: "How long am I here? I've had one pint, and I'll be heading off after one more."

Expression: After.
Really means: Something that's already happened.
Example: "I'm after having another pint", meaning "I *have* had another pint", not "I'm *after* another" (although they might be, too).

Sláinte!