A small, slow dictionary of the words and phrases of Ireland: the inheritances, the localisms, and the standard words bent to a different shape by an Irish tongue.
Word of the week
Aye
Yes. The standard Ulster Scots and Northern Irish word for yes. 'Aye, you're right.' 'Aye, sure.' As an emphatic full-clause response or as the first word of a longer sentence.
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interj.
Hurray. A rallying cry, especially in sporting and political contexts. Almost always after a proper noun: 'Up the Dubs, Mayo abú!' = 'Up Dublin, Mayo for the win!'. A condensed cheer rooted in Irish-language battle-cries.
Ach
interj.
An interjection expressing mild annoyance, resignation, dismissal, or affectionate scepticism. 'Ach, away with you.' 'Ach, sure I don't mind.' The throat-clearing 'ch' marks the speaker's Northern register; the meaning is in the tone.
Acht
n.
Property, ownership - usually with a jocular or contemptuous edge. 'Whas acht's thon?' = whose property is that? (= what's-his-name's that?). The construction often serves to identify someone obliquely or to disclaim ownership.
Acting the Maggot
verb phrase
Behaving foolishly. Messing about, usually with a hint of deliberate annoyance to the person watching. 'Stop acting the maggot' is the standard Hiberno-English instruction to a child or pretend-child who is fooling around. Less serious than 'misbehaving'; more pointed than 'horsing around'.