An Irish Country Village

by Patrick Taylor

shite: Faeces.

  shufti: Army slang. A quick look at.

  skiver: Corruption of “scurvy.” Pejorative. Ne’er-do-well.

  skivvy: From “scurvy.” Housemaid.

  sliced pan, best thing since: Presliced, then wrapped, pan loaf was reintroduced after the Second World War. To be better than it was the acme of perfection.

  slip jig: Traditional dance.

  snotters: Runny nose.

  soft hand under a duck: Gentle or very good at.

  solicitor: Attorney, but one who would not appear in court, which is done by barristers.

  sore tried by: Very worried by or very irritated by.

  spavins: A disease of horses resulting in a swayback.

  sponge bag: Toilet bag.

  stays: Whalebone corset.

  stocious: Drunk.

  stone: Measure of weight equal to fourteen pounds.

  stoon: Sudden shooting pain.

  stout: A dark beer, usually Guinness.

  strong weakness: Hangover.

  take a gander: Look at.

  take your hurry in your hand: Wait a minute.

  taste, a wee: Amount. Small amount, not necessarily edible.

  ta-ta-ta-ra: Dublin slang, party.

  thick: Stupid.

  thick as champ: Very stupid.

  thon: That.

  thrapple: Throat.

  throw off: Vomit.

  toty: Small.

  toty, wee: Very small.

  turf accountant: Bookmaker.

  up the spout or pipe: Pregnant.

  wean: Pronounced “wane.” Child.

  wee: Small, but in Ulster can be used to modify almost anything without reference to size. A barmaid and old friend greeted the author by saying, “Come on in, Pat. Have a wee seat and I’ll get you a wee menu, and would you like a wee drink while you’re waiting?”

  wee buns: Very easy.

  wet (wee): Alcoholic drink.

  whaling away at: Beating.

  wheeker: Very good.

  wheen: A large number of.

  wheest: Be quiet.

  wheezle: Wheeze in chest.

  whippet: Small, fast, racing dog, such as a mini-greyhound.

  willy: Penis.

  won’t butter any parsnips: Will make absolutely no difference.

  you’re on: Agreed to, or to indicate acceptance of a wager.

  your head’s cut (a marley): You are being very stupid, and your head is as small and as dense as a child’s marble.

  your man: Someone who is not present but is known to all others there.

  youse: Ulster plural of you.