As intensifiers go, “very” is very overused and “really” is really quite weak. If you’re in Ireland, and you need to describe the extreme nature of something, you have another option:
“It’s fierce <adjective>!”
If you wish (and especially if you are from Cork), you can follow this with “altogether” and/or “like” for emphasis. Note that although the word “fierce” implies an intense or unpleasant adjective, this guideline can be ignored for comedy effect.
For example:
- On the first day of spring: “It’s fierce mild.“
- To describe someone you like: “He’s fierce nice.”
- On baking Tríona’s Lemony Bars: “They’re fierce delicious altogether like.”*
However, if you wish to express that something was actually really fierce, you will have to find another way to do it.
* They really are. Try them.
