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MAY 2001






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     SOME MUST-KNOW IRISH WORDS & MEANINGS     


      to annacreevy (WW):
to gather in small groups and gossip maliciously

      to borris-in-ossory (LS):
to roar at one's spouse, to bang the table for more spuds

      to clonakilty (C):
to get somewhat merry, to dance with the husband of one's best friend

      to downpatrick (DN):
to talk behind someone's back, especially of friends

      to elphin (RN):
to smile mischievously, especially at a bishop

      to fethard (WX):
to blather, especially about politicians (eg "those ballyfethards")

      to gurranabraher (C):
to shout loudly at hurling matches, to gather outside the ref's changing room

      to helvick (W):
to be sea-sick, to become ill after revelry (eg "He helvicked all over his dress-suit")

      to inchydoney (C):
to creep up silently and slowly (especially of Corkmen) on someone from behind

      to jordanstown (AN):
to march about carrying religious placards, to shut the swimming pool on Sundays

      to kenmare (KY):
to win a few bob on an outsider in the third race at Ballyhaunis

      to letterfrack (G):
to watch one's wife let off steam, to rev the car engine loudly, to ignore granny's fifth whiskey at the wedding

      to monasterevan (KE):
to appeal for an end to an argument, especially among Welshmen

      to nenagh (TN):
to turn on the siren of a police car or ambulance

      to omagh (TE):
to borrow some of your mother's housekeeping

      to pomeroy (TE):
to land a punch in boxing, (esp. in Ulster) to disagree

      to quilty (CE):
to go beyond clonakiltying, clandestine, ending in scandal

      to rathnew (WW):
to demolish old buildings for development purposes (also to humestreet, to woodquay)

      to saggart (D):
to develop a middle-aged spread (especially of clergymen), to slump before TV

      to termonfeckin (LH):
to stop quiltying

      to unionhall (C):
to be tired and emotional at a press conference

      to vartry (WW):
to adjust one's intestines, silently and in company, hoping no-one has noticed

      to youghal (C):
to exclaim excitedly (especially of cats), to sing at all-night parties, to say hello to Texans




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