Skip to content
SlangWordsOnline

bold

BOHLDadjectiveColloquial

A Hiberno-English slang term. Browse all Irish slang.

What it means

  1. Naughty, badly behaved. Said of children constantly and of adults teasingly; it does not mean brave or daring in Irish usage.

In use

  • Stop that, you bold thing.

    Note: Parent to small child. This is the core use.

  • Two desserts? Very bold.

    Note: Adult teasing, mildly flirtatious depending on delivery.

Where it comes from

The standard English adjective, narrowed in Ireland to misbehaviour and effectively losing the 'courageous' sense in everyday speech. Irish 'dána' carries both senses the same way, which is likely why the English word settled here where it did.