Irish Slang – Schmozzle

Of all the countries in the world that commonly speak English, the Irish are known particularly for their deft command of the language.

What you may not know is that the language arrived on some strange shores when it crossed the Irish sea. While visitors may understand most everything that’s said (aside from a few extremely thick local accents), it’s usually the little bits of slang and mild differences in certain words that confuses visitors.

This is the twenty-eighth in a series I’ve been publishing of some common Irish slang that used to confuse wifey and myself when we first arrived.

Schmozzle – A minor fight, usually an on-field quarrel between GAA players.

Pronounced “sheh-MOZZ-uhl”, this is GAA sporting slang coined by Irish radio presenter Michael O’Hehir. It refers to a minor altercation between players – quarrels that don’t escalate into serious physical violence. A bit of wrestling, a few shoves – ah sure, nothing but a shmozzle.