General
thick
What does thick mean?
Either stupid/dim, or angry, sullen and stubborn. 'Taking the thick' means getting into a sulky temper.
"He went all thick with me over nothing."
Origin
Hiberno-English extension of 'thick' (dense/stupid) to include sullen anger.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'thick' mean in Irish English?
It can mean stupid or dim, or it can mean sulky, sullen and bad-tempered — depending on context.
What does 'taking the thick' mean?
It means getting into a sulky, stubborn temper.
Where does this sense of thick come from?
It's a Hiberno-English extension of standard 'thick' (dense or stupid) to also cover sullen anger.
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