What’s in a word?
THE DIGGER
When you really listen to the spoken word it can be amusing. However, the written word in Magheragall townland can be confusing to some….Magheragall or Magheragal?
You only have to tune into an interview on television or radio to find what I would consider to be one of the most over-used words at the present time - “ABSOLUTELY!”
A popular word with politicians, reporters and the general public now used in response to an agreeable statement of fact made by the interviewer. It is possible to pick up on the word in excess of a dozen times during an hour long radio speech programme.
The use of words and phraseology in our day to day communication has always fascinated me. I have a note book containing a plethora of material I have picked up over the years when speaking with our older folks in the Lisburn district.
In fact if you “sit down and take the weight off your feet” I’ll share a few with you. It might be “all well and good” just to turn over the page at this point and move on but sure “the night’s are away with it” and “it’ll not do you a button of harm.”
A bit of “acting the cod” really. There are some wonderful descriptions used in everyday speech. Some complimentary in their own right and others of a more derogatory nature. We could, for “a bit of a cod” start by describing the gentleman next door.
“He’s a different kettle of fish,” though, a “brave crateur.” “One brave fella, but as odd as two left feet.”
At one time a “coarse customer” but all-in-all now a “well heeled now,” “well shod” and by all accounts a “well-made man.” “A decenter” fellow you couldn’t meet and someone who had “a bit of come and go with him.” “A right bein’.”
Others would have different opinions of course. You may have known him “terrible well” but just “couldn’t warm to him.” He might well have been “a gullion of a fella” and a more “crooked crabbit critter” you’d “never met the likes of before.” In fact “she could have got better out of a hedge.” A “bit of a chancy boy” who would never “ do a hand’s turn” “from morning to night.” There might be “an ole thing about him” that you can’t “quite put your finger on.” “The same boy couldn’t get a dog to bark.”
Some people can’t “leave well enough alone” and will have ago at anyone, irrespective of age. “He hasn’t died a winter yet” but he’s “going down the hill.” Well he is “a brave age” you know. “He’s an ole done man” in my opinion. “You’ll not get anymore cutting out of him, he’s finished.” Sure the man’s “ as slow as a funeral.”
“He’s still running about saving funeral expenses.”
When the inevitable happens he will no longer “be to the fore.” “Dead and gone.” In fact I heard it said he’s now “out at Blaris with a daisy on his chest.”
Sometimes it’s better to “leave well enough alone” and “keep it under
your hat.”
Absolutely!!!
The Digger can be contacted by email - diggerarticle@hotmail.com
14/03/2012
