 |
| Cole McGrath is a sophomore English major and writes 'International House of Slaw' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper. |
LIMERICK, Ireland -- I'm definitely going to be bringing back a lot from Ireland.
I've got a bunch of new friends, a fresh appreciation for the works of William Butler Yeats and a whole lot of green stuff.
I'm also bringing back a much more colorful vocabulary.
While it is true that the Irish, for the most part, speak English, they use a lot of words and phrases that we Americans don't get to hear every day. Some of them I've heard before but in a much different context from how I hear them used now in Ireland.
Because I can't afford to buy souvenirs for everyone, the brand-spanking new terms I've learned over here will be my present to the lovely reading public. Don't worry gang, although they would be greatly appreciated, thank you cards are not necessary.
Now, I can't include all the profanity that Irish college students like to use with some of these words, so just use some imagination.
Here they are:
eejit: So this isn't really so much a new term as it is a new pronunciation of the timeless classic, "idiot." For some reason though, it seems a whole lot harsher than "idiot." Ah, those crafty Irish have outdone us again.
lads: This is more or less a substitute for the word "guys." Yet, somehow, by saying lads, you are able to avoid the whole guys-AND-girls thing. It handily relieves all that stress that goes along with forgetting to tack on the female equivalent of "guys" and feeling vaguely politically incorrect. What a country!
cra?c: Crack. It is pronounced crack. What it means is a smashing grand time, mate. For example, let's say I went out one night, found some great conversation and company in a nice little pub, got to the bus stop just in time AND found a Euro on stairs in my building. I would refer to that as good cra?c.
savage or deadly: So many things can be described as being either of these seemingly violent words. However, I could not get a clear definition of them from any of my flat mates. We tried for a while but the best we could come up with was "cool." That just doesn't do these words justice though. I guess you'll just have to make up your own meaning. Oh wait. I've got it: "super cool." That'll do.
"There's your answer.": It's a great celebratory phrase in my opinion. It is as if the world has given you an amazingly difficult riddle, like "Why did the chicken cross the road?" and you - you alone - have solved it. In the euphoria of your joy, you turn to the heavens with tears streaming white water down your face and scream, "There's your answer!"
Well, that's all I can fit here, folks. Use them freely, use them frequently. And once again, although very much appreciated, thank you cards are not necessary.
Write to Cole at cpmcgrath@bsu.edu
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
