I just got this book through my library, and it looks quite interesting:
http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/slang.html
I may never become versed in learning a new language but there is some comfort in knowing I may have been using bits of it all along
Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
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The purpose of this forum is to provide a place for people who are interested in the Irish language and various Celtic languages to discuss them, to practice them, and to share information about them, particularly (but not exclusively) in the context of traditional music and culture.
This is not a "translation forum," per se, though translation requests may occasionally be honored at the discretion of the moderators. If you're seeking a one-time translation for something like a tattoo, engraving, wedding vow, or other such purpose, we strongly recommend that you visit our friends at ILF: http://irishlearner.awyr.com
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
I'm afraid the book has more entertainment value than anything else. The guy who wrote it, while very enthusiastic, didn't actually speak Irish, and had no background in linguistics. The book is mainly based on speculation, and most of his conclusions are considered to be pretty "out there" by Irish scholars.osage59 wrote:I just got this book through my library, and it looks quite interesting:
http://www.irishamericancrossroads.org/slang.html
I may never become versed in learning a new language but there is some comfort in knowing I may have been using bits of it all along
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
Aye, the Irish invented slang, and the Occitaniés invented rhyming slang. Or was that the Basques?
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
Oidh bheidh.. . . cuts through two hundred years of Anglo-American academic "baloney" and reveals the massive, hidden influence of the Irish language on American vernacular and slang. Irish-derived words and phrases – like snazzy, swell, dude, scam, slum, say "uncle", sucker, knickknack, twerp, nincompoop, moolah, racketeer, rookie, ballyhoo, dork, freak, hoodoo, Dead Rabbit, and jazz – are scattered across the American language . . .
My only question is whether this is innocent armchair etymology as expression of ethnic pride, or something that veers into Barry Fell/Welsh-speaking Indians territory.
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
A little bit of both, I think.Seonachan wrote:Oidh bheidh.. . . cuts through two hundred years of Anglo-American academic "baloney" and reveals the massive, hidden influence of the Irish language on American vernacular and slang. Irish-derived words and phrases – like snazzy, swell, dude, scam, slum, say "uncle", sucker, knickknack, twerp, nincompoop, moolah, racketeer, rookie, ballyhoo, dork, freak, hoodoo, Dead Rabbit, and jazz – are scattered across the American language . . .
My only question is whether this is innocent armchair etymology as expression of ethnic pride, or something that veers into Barry Fell/Welsh-speaking Indians territory.
The sad thing is, while there IS a good case for some English slang words being derived from Irish ("snazzy" from "snasta" springs immediately to mind, and "smashing" from "is maith sin"), he goes too far in his speculations.
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
And/or Scottish Gaelic?Redwolf wrote:while there IS a good case for some English slang words being derived from Irish
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
Well yes, the Scottish Gaels also claim "'s math sin" and "snasail", for example. I'm sure in several cases, where the forms are similar and used with equal frequency, it wouldn't be possible (or productive) to try to distinguish which variety "made it" into English.Peter Duggan wrote:And/or Scottish Gaelic?Redwolf wrote:while there IS a good case for some English slang words being derived from Irish
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Re: Another book of interest? How the Irish Invented Slang
I would say that the strongest argument for Irish being the source of some of these is the sheer number of Irish speakers who immigrated (or were transported) to the U.S., England and Australia vs. the number of Scottish Gaelic speakers, especially from the mid-19th century forward. When and where a particular term first cropped up would probably be key.
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