What it means
To act the maggot is to mess about, clown around, or do something purposely daft when you should be copping on. It’s often said about kids, mates, or anyone making a show of themselves, whether they’re just having the craic or being a right nuisance. Common in everyday Irish chat, usually half scolding, half laughing.
Usage examples
"Ah would ya stop acting the maggot in the shop, you’ll have the whole place looking at us. Grab the milk and let’s go."
"Stop acting the maggot at the back there, the pair of ye, and let the teacher finish the lesson."
"He was acting the maggot all through dinner, pulling faces till his little sister spat out her juice."
"The young fella was acting the maggot through Mass, swinging off the pew and grinning at everyone."
"Quit acting the maggot and give us a hand with these bags, will ya?"
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
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