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101 Irish Mammy Sayings You Probably Heard Growing Up In Ireland

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 Top Irish Mammy Sayings

You might not recognise every single one of these Irish mammy sayings but some will certainly stick out if you have an Irish mother. They have much wisdom and seemed to have an answer for any problem we had growing up.

I have bolded a few that stood out to me.

101 Irish mammy sayings

  1.  A little Birdy told me
  2.  Am I talking to a brick wall?
  3.  Are you deaf or something?
  4.  As long as you live under my roof you’ll do as I say -d’ya hear me?.
  5.  Beds are not made for jumping on.
  6.  Close the door! You don’t live in a barn.
  7.  Did you brush your teeth?
  8.  Did you comb your hair?
  9.  Do you think I’m made of money or something?
  10.  I suppose you think your socks are going to pick themselves up?
  11.  If you eat that you’ll get worms!
  12.  Don’t make me get up!
  13.  Stop running in the house.
  14.  Sit back from the television or you’ll get square eyes.
  15.  Don’t talk with your mouth full!
  16.  Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you!
  17.  Eat your vegetables, they’re good for you
  18.  How do you know you don’t like it if you haven’t even tasted it?
  19.  I brought you into this world, and I can take you out just as easy!
  20.  I didn’t ask who put it there, I said: “Pick it up!”
  21.  I don’t care what “everyone” is doing.
  22.  I don’t have to explain myself. I said no.
  23.  I hope someday you have children just like you.
  24.  If you could stay out last night, you can get up this morning.
  25.  If you stick your tongue out again I’ll cut it off.
  26.  If you’re too sick to go to school, you’re too sick to play outside.
  27.  I’m going to skin you alive!
  28.  I’m not going to ask you again.
  29.  What am I your cleaning lady?
  30.  It’s way past your bedtime.
  31.  Look at me when I’m talking to you.
  32.   Money does NOT grow on trees.
  33.  No child of MINE is going out dressed like that.
  34.  I swear ta God!
  35.  Over my dead body!
  36.  Pick that up before somebody trips on it and breaks their neck!
  37.  Put that down! You don’t know where it’s been!
  38.  Say that again and I’ll give you a thick ear.
  39.  Shut your mouth and eat your dinner.
  40.   If Sean’s mom let him jump off a cliff, would you want me to let you do it too?
  41.   There’s enough dirt in those ears to grow potatoes!
  42.  Jesus Mary & Joseph
  43.   You could grow cabbages behind those ears.
  44.  Believe me, this hurts me more than it hurts you.
  45.  Turn that racket down!
  46.  Right, that’s it, where’s the wooden spoon?
  47.  Watch your mouth!
  48.  What did I say the FIRST time?
  49.  What part of NO don’t you understand?
  50.  When you have your own house then you can make the rules!
  51.  Where do YOU think you’re going?
  52.  Would ya look what the cat dragged in?
  53.  Finally, the dead arose and appeared to many.
  54.  Who died and made you boss?
  55.  Who do you think you’re talking to?
  56.  Yes, I am the boss of you.
  57.  You won’t be happy until you break that, will you?
  58.  You’ll understand when you’re older.
  59.  If you fall off that wall and break your legs don’t come running to me!
  60.  A little soap & water never killed anybody
  61.  Answer me when I ask you a question
  62.  You’re not going out dressed like that
  63.  Where do you think you’re going in that get-up?
  64.  Are your hands broken? Pick it up yourself! I’m not your maid
  65.  Do you think this is a hotel?
  66.  Don’t ask me WHY. The answer is NO
  67.  Don’t cross your eyes or they’ll freeze that way
  68.  Don’t EVER let me catch you doing that again
  69.  Don’t make me come up there
  70.  Don’t use that tone with me
  71.  Ask your father
  72.  How many times do I have to tell you?
  73.  God above, give me patience
  74.  I don’t care who started it, I’m ending it
  75.  If I want your opinion I’ll ask for it!
  76.  If I’ve told you once … I’ve told you a thousand times.
  77.  If you don’t clean your plate, you won’t get any dessert.
  78.  If you don’t stop crying, I’ll give you something to cry about!
  79.  I’ll treat you like a grown-up when you start acting like one.
  80.  I’m going to give you until the count of three and then I’m getting your  father…1,2…that’s it!
  81.  I’m not running a taxi service you know
  82.  I’m not your maid
  83.  Have you done your homework yet?
  84.  I’ve had it up to here with the lot of ye.
  85.  Look at this room! It looks like a pigsty
  86.  Now, say you’re sorry…and MEAN it!
  87.  Think of those poor starving children in Africa
  88.  Were you born in a barn?
  89.  Why? Because I SAID so, that’s why!
  90.  You are getting on my last nerve.
  91.  You had better wipe that smile off your face before I do it for you.
  92.  You WILL eat it, and you WILL like it!
  93.  You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached to your shoulders! 94.  You’re going to put your eye out with that thing!
  94.  Wait ‘til your father gets home!
  95.  Did you turn off the immersion?
  96.  If you’re not asleep when I come up I’ll kill ya!
  97.  Honest ta God you’ll be the death of me!
  98.  Are you a man or a mouse?
  99.  What time do you call this?
  100. Those biscuits are for the visitors!
  101. Don’t make me count to three. One….

Hope you enjoyed these top Irish mammy sayings. There is probably many more! Be sure to leave them in a comment below 😀

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Harry Hook

Wednesday 27th of April 2022

My parents used to ask, "Were you born on a raft?" when one of us left the door open. Raft makes more sense to me than barn because a raft has no door to close. Were you born on one, you'd never learn to close it.

Marie Josette

Sunday 27th of March 2022

I may not have grown up in Ireland but my Da was raised by his Irish Nanna, and my Ma was raised by her Irish ma. I have heard these and a lot worse my whole life. 🙃 I always tell my kids they're growing potatoes in their ears and now I know why 😂

Patricia

Friday 22nd of March 2019

If you break your legs, don't come running to me.

caoilopotterwincester

Wednesday 20th of March 2019

To be honest I heard far worse though I am not surprised they are not up here.

Brendan

Thursday 18th of October 2018

When I came home from school soaking wet, and mother looks at me and asks "Is it raining?" :)