English As We Speak It in Ireland

o some harmless imitation of a curse. You do indeed come across persons who go higher, but they are rare. Yet while keeping themselves generally within safe bounds, it must be confessed

of Homer. 'Oh sir'-as I heard a fellow say-''tis grand to listen to him when he's in a rage.' He was known as a skilled physician, and a good fellow in every way, and his splendid swearing crowned his popu

en one important movement was spoiled by the blundering of an incompetent little adjutant. In a towering passion the Mad Major addressed the General:-'Stop, Sir Charles, do stop; just allow me two minutes to curse that rascally adjutant.' To so reasonable a requ

s afterwards when an Irish soldier was questioned on the merits of his successor:-'The man is well enough,' said Pat, with a heavy

harley made the promise with a light heart, thinking that by only using a little caution he could easily avoid snipping off his buttons. But inveterate habit is strong. Only very shortly after he had left the priest he saw a cow in one of his cornfields playing havoc: out came a round curse, and off came a button on the spot. For Charley was a manly fellow, with a real sense of religion at bottom: and he had no notion of shirking his penance. Another curse after some time and another button.

t still harmless. Most of them have some resemblance in sound to the forbidden word-they are near enough to satisfy the craving, but still far enough off to avoid the guilt: the process may in fact be designated dodging a curse. Hence we have such blank cartridges as beg

ons. The original expression is thauss ag Dhee [given here phonetically], meaning God knows; but as this is too solemn and profane for mo

question:-'Salvation seize your soul-God forgive me for cursing-be off out of that and don't set me astray!' ('Knocknagow.') Here

as a harmless oath: for if there is no hole you are swearing

d luck to you,' which would be considered wicked: refl

n Leinster they say, 'by all the goats in Gorey'-which is a big oath. Whether it is a big oath now or not, I do n

ou eat me?' 'By all the red petticoats and check aprons between Dingle and Tralee,' cried Dick, jumpi

ary. 'Sorrow fly away with him.' (Crofton Croker.) In these and

te harmless: it is a little too serious to be used indiscriminately-'Faith I feel this day very cold': 'Is that tea good?' 'Faith it is no such thing: it is very weak.' 'Did Mick sell his cows to-day at the fair?' 'Faith I don't kn

over. Tom went out to bring the priest's horse from the paddock, but in leading him through a gap in the hedge the horse stood stock still and refused obstinately to go an inch farther. Tom pulled and tugged to no purpose, till at last his patience went to pieces, and he flung this, in no gentle voice, at the animal's head:-'Blast your sowl will you come on!' Just then unluckily Father Burke walked up behind: he h

he old couple are at tea and have just one egg, which causes a mild dispute. At last the father says decisively-'The divel a bit of it I'll eat, so there's an end of it': when the mother ins

he master was a truly good and religious man, but very severe (a wicked master, as we used to say), and almost insane in his aversion to sweari

ng just behind his back; and then came the deluge. In an instant the school work was stopped, and poor Jack was called up to stand before the judgment seat. There he got a long lecture-with the usual quotations-as severe and solemn as if he were a man and had perjured himself half a dozen times. As

to this day common

g and giving the responses to the priest. The congregation was of course of mixed nationalities-English, Irish, and Scotch, and the chapel was filled. Just outside the chapel door a nigger had charge of the big bell to call the congregations. On this day, in blissful ignorance and indifference, he began to ring for the Protestant congregation too soon-while Mass was still going on-so as greatly to disturb the people at their devotions. The officer was observed to show signs of impatience, growing more and more restless as the ringing went on persistently, till at last one concentrated series of bangs burst up his patience utterly.

lsed with suppressed silent laughter; and I am afraid that some people

ho was present at that very Mass; and i