Irish up

English

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.

Verb

Irish up (third-person singular simple present Irishes up, present participle Irishing up, simple past and past participle Irished up)

1. (transitive, impolite, sometimes offensive) To add alcohol to a drink that doesn't normally have it.

   Synonym: spike

   You want me to Irish up that punch bowl for ya? No? Ha, OK — your loss!

   • 2002, Joel H. Cohen, “Brawl in the Family (The Simpsons)” (16:47 from the start), in The Simpsons, season 13, episode 7, spoken by Ginger:

     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.

2. (intransitive) To get drunk.

Related terms

• Irish coffee