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
Geg
A laugh. A joke. A piece of fun, with the implication that the speakers had a good time. 'It was a geg' = it was funny and enjoyable. As a verb (to geg, geggin'): to joke around.
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Read more →Abú
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'.