Ballix – adj, adv, noun – male genitalia; expression of displeasure or disbelief.

Versatile exhortation derivative of Middle English word ‘bollocks’. Can be used in the same contexts – e.g. you’re talking ballix (you’re talking rubbish), laddaballix ( a load of bollocks), right in the ballix (squarely on the testicles) etc – however its pronunciation as such may differentiate a working class person from residents of the smart part of town (Stranmillis).

Dander – noun, verb – a walk; to walk.

E.g. “I can’t be arsed waitin’ on a taxi; ‘mon we’ll dander.”

As a noun, it can be used to describe the gait and rhythm of a person’s movement e.g., “Look at the dander on yer man.”

Heel – noun – both the first and last slice of a loaf of commercially produced bread.

Bread sold in wrappers will include an extra thick slice at both the beginning and the end of the loaf. The appreciation of this is a matter of personal taste, but in harder times of yore the battle to secure the heel of the bread at dinner time often led to fights.

Hoke – verb – to eke out; to extricate.

Sleg – verb – to mock good-naturedly.

In Belfast, slegging is not so much a communication tool as a way of life. The ability of any native to live, thrive, and survive here is dependent on their capacity to ‘take a slegging.’ The enthusiastic exchange of insults and offensive hand gestures between people in seemingly inappropriate circumstances may cause alarm to those not indigenous to the region.