English As We Speak It in Ireland

ill be understood from the examples given in this sho

in this case the saying is often turned into English. 'If the master didn't give Tim a tongue-dressing, 'tisn't day yet' (which would be said either

't a cottoner in Cork': meaning I got a very great wetting. This saying is very co

tion is seen in the following:-'That hor

e we use I'll go bail:-'I'll go bail you never got that money you lent to Tom': 'An illigant song he could sing I'll go bail' (Lever): 'You

I'll hold you [a wager: but always a fictitious wager]. I'll hold you I'll finish t

lk four miles an hour': 'Oh don't you: I could then, or five if you go to that of it': 'I don't believe that Joe Lee is half as good a hurler as his brother Phil.' 'I can tell you he is then, an

tic assertion (after the Gaelic construction) frequently heard is 'Ah then, 'tis I

In the South an expression of this kind is very often added on as a sort of clincher to give emphasis. Similar are the very usual endings as

n his new place?' and he replied 'Ah, how but well'; which he me

k there's no mark of a fool about me.' 'Now Mary don't wait for the last train [from Howth] for there will be an awful crush.' 'What a fool I'd be ma'am.' 'Oh Mr. Lory I thought you were gone home [from the dance] two hours ago':

an who had made some flattering remark to her:-'Arrah now B

erday was very wet.' Reply:-'You may s

r for you' (emphasis on for), meaning 'you have good reason to

deed,' says the other, a satirical reply, meaning 'of course y

le of cows.' Reply, 'I know,' as much as to say 'I see,' '

mewhat unexpected, the introductory words being given as a guarantee of its truth:-'Have you the rest of the mone

and word.' 'My hand to you I'll never rest till the job is finished.' 'Come and hunt with me in the wood, an

s my hand to you I o

ice your stock not h

nce Ma

thing if I didn't.' 'Do you think you can make that lock all right?' 'Ah what would ail me,' i.e., 'no doubt I can-of

eve you': a way of saying th

way:-'This is a real wet day.' Answer, 'I believe you.' 'I think you

ious to do, often answers in this way:-'James, would you take a glass of punch?' or 'Tom, will

ll you bring Nelly's book to her when you are going home,

eness of any particular line of action, a person says 'that's all in my eye,'

ctory words being usually spoken quickly:-'Now do you know what I'm going to tell you-that ragg

even disrespectful:-'Biddy, go up please to the drawing-room and bring me down the needle and thread and stocking you will find on the table

w morning at 7 o'clock?' 'That will do sir.' This reply in fact expresses

did you?' i.e., is it possible you did so? A

saw such a fine race as we had.' In Ulster they duplicate it, with still the same application:-'Oh man-o-man that's great r

never fear there will be plenty flowers in that garden this year.' 'You will remember to have breakfast ready at 7 o'clock.' 'Never fear sir,' meanin

tes is 'God save you,' or (for a person entering a house) 'God save all here'; and the response is 'God save you kindly' ('Knocknagow'); where kindly means 'of a like kind,' 'in like manner,' 'similarly.' Anoth

se is 'Good-morrow kindly.' 'Morrow Wat,' said Mr. Lloyd. 'Morrow kindly,' replied Wat

she says first, 'Beware of the water,' lest the 'good people' might hap

nding the family at dinner

o be deducted from his hire equal to the seventh part of the cost of his feeding. (Senchus Mór and 'Cormac's Glossary.') It was especially incumbent on women to bless the work of other women. This custom, which is more than a thousand years old, has des

aise-worthy. On the completion of any work, such as a building, they fix a pole with a fla