Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

irish up

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.53 in modern English

Syllables: irish up
IPA

12

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

1

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To add alcohol to a drink that doesn't normally have it.

Informal; Transitive verb

verb

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"You want me to Irish up that punch bowl for ya? No? Ha, OK — your loss!"
"Ginger: Think you could Irish up this coffee for me? Flanders: Whoops, watch the swears, Honey Bear. We don't use the "I" word in this house."

Etymology

From a stereotype of Irish people as often having a drinking problem; see Wikipedia at Anti-Irish sentiment. The verb's popularization was increased by an episode of The Simpsons in 2002.

Usage

Inflected Forms

Irishes up (present, singular) Irishing up (participle, present) Irished up (participle, past) Irished up (past)

Phrases

Irish coffee

Frequently Paired Words

Irish coffee

Synonyms

spike

Antonyms

sober up

Questions

What does irish up mean?: To add alcohol to a drink that doesn't normally have it.
Where does irish up come from?: From a stereotype of Irish people as often having a drinking problem; see Wikipedia at Anti-Irish sentiment. The verb's popularization was increased by an episode of The Simpsons in 2002.

How to pronounce irish up

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