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it's grand?

  • 23-12-2015 11:42am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭


    I'm living here for almost a year now and I do understand what it means but I don't.

    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so.. but I never do, but specially in other terms and words why saying "grand".

    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.


    When I search on Google I get "slang", so I searched what the hell slang is.
    And there are two options

    attack (someone) using abusive language.

    a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.

    Wiki tels me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slang


    "It's a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility."

    On the other hand, slang tends to emphasize social and contextual understanding. The expression "down size" is an example of jargon, while the adjective "gnarly" is an example of slang. "Down size" originated from 1990's era corporate jargon, as a euphemistic way to talk about layoffs.


    I never grew up with those words that's why I ask.

    also: http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/proper-english-versus-slang.html



    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,687 ✭✭✭✭Penny Tration


    It means "it's fine," or "it's okay."

    Why slang? Because pretty much everyone uses slang most days?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭MRnotlob606


    Brits out


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Asmooh wrote: »

    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?

    What is your first language?

    Are there no words that are used out of context or used in a joking way?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 414 ✭✭kettlehead


    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so.. but I never do, but specially in other terms and words why saying "grand".

    You'll get your few grand in the post. The lads have had a busy few months


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,207 ✭✭✭The King of Moo


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I'm living here for almost a year now and I do understand what it means but I don't.

    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so.. but I never do, but specially in other terms and words why saying "grand".

    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.


    When I search on Google I get "slang", so I searched what the hell slang is.
    And there are two options

    ....




    I never grew up with those words that's why I ask.





    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?

    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 414 ✭✭kettlehead


    What is your first language?

    Is say he's either German or Dutch.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,775 ✭✭✭✭Slattsy


    A grand thread to be sure.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 414 ✭✭kettlehead


    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?

    I know your English is great but you know that you're responding to a non native speaker right?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,370 ✭✭✭✭Son Of A Vidic


    Asmooh wrote: »
    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.

    I was once told by some English colleagues in London, that my use of common swear words was beautiful and almost poetic in nature.

    I would also sometime address them in a manner that no other nationality could do without causing offense. But coming from me, they viewed it as a term of a term of endearment and friendship.

    But this ability is not unique to me, it is a gift most of us Irish have. Because we Irish not only adopted and mastered the English language, but we found an ability to use it beyond the comprehension of its creators.

    So settle yerself there now OP and lash a few into ya and all will be grand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,634 ✭✭✭✭Graces7


    It is not slang; it is local dialect language and perfectly fine. here in Kerry there are two I love,, they say " Perfect!" when they are pleased and " No bother/no trouble" when you ask something of them. I love it. Part of the local scene. Maybe when you have been here longer.. GRAND SO! ( I am English but here around 15 years and always lived rurally where these things stay around longer)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,207 ✭✭✭The King of Moo


    Real answer: it probably comes from "grand" in the sense of "great," in turn from it meaning "big" (as in French).
    So if you were looking for a very literal translation it'd be like saying "I'm great," but of course in actual use it's less positive than that, meaning "I'm fine," as language meaning shifts over time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,574 ✭✭✭falan


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I'm living here for almost a year now and I do understand what it means but I don't.

    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so.. but I never do, but specially in other terms and words why saying "grand".

    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.


    When I search on Google I get "slang", so I searched what the hell slang is.
    And there are two options

    attack (someone) using abusive language.

    a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.

    Wiki tels me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slang


    "It's a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility."

    On the other hand, slang tends to emphasize social and contextual understanding. The expression "down size" is an example of jargon, while the adjective "gnarly" is an example of slang. "Down size" originated from 1990's era corporate jargon, as a euphemistic way to talk about layoffs.


    I never grew up with those words that's why I ask.

    also: http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/proper-english-versus-slang.html



    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?
    Few naggins, be grand..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,207 ✭✭✭The King of Moo


    kettlehead wrote: »
    I know your English is great but you know that you're responding to a non native speaker right?

    Yeah.
    I was just showing them that like a lot of non-native speakers they seem to have a sense of slang as a parochial peculiarity, when in fact they're already using it perfectly well themselves in their post.

    A lovely big spoon of irony.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,034 ✭✭✭mad muffin


    That'll be grand… it will be ok, it's fine, no worries, it's satisfactory.

    It's grand… it's good, it's ok, it's fine, it's satisfactory.

    He/she's grand… he/she is fine, is OK, is sound, is trustworthy, is a good bloke/sheila.

    Grand… fine, good, ok, thanks, no worries.

    After 13 years in Ireland I think I have it nailed ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,381 ✭✭✭✭Allyall


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I
    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so..
    Surely you would expect to pay €1000?
    Asmooh wrote: »
    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.

    Okeat?
    Grekay?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 935 ✭✭✭Whitewinged


    Whenever I go over to visit my husbands family in England, they always comment on my use of the word grand because to them it means exceptional, great, amazing etc but to me it means I'm alright. So if they ask me if I want a cup of tea and I say "I'm grand", it sounds weird to them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 12,452 ✭✭✭✭The_Valeyard


    It's all gravy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,235 ✭✭✭✭Cee-Jay-Cee


    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?

    Do you come from somewhere that the correct terminology is always used for all conversations:comments?

    In every English speaking country I've been to, slang, local terminology is intertwined in everyday talk/conversations. It's no big deal, it's just life.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭Hammer89


    It can be used to express feelings of contentment:

    "Would you like another glass of Fanta, Michael?"

    "No thanks Gerry I'm grand."

    However, it can also be used quite passively.

    "Babe, we missed the first 20 seconds of X-Factor but I'll stick the rest on now.

    "No it's grand there's no point now."


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭Asmooh


    What is your first language?

    Are there no words that are used out of context or used in a joking way?

    Dutch


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 795 ✭✭✭kingchess


    When some one asks you to do something and you reply"-I will ,yeah"--.this usually means that you dont have a bulls notion of bothering your ass,or to put it in layman"s terms,that they can go f...k themselves.other than that it should be grand.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,207 ✭✭✭The King of Moo


    Do you come from somewhere that the correct terminology is always used for all conversations:comments?

    No.
    In every English speaking country I've been to, slang, local terminology is intertwined in everyday talk/conversations. It's no big deal, it's just life.

    I agree. I especially love the way English speakers use irony.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭Asmooh


    Oh and I was just wondering, my English is not perfect, but I guess your Dutch is not either.
    I always, (specially in real life) trying to say all the words that should be said correctly.

    So no slang, no missing letters.. while on internet I write "won't" instead of "will not" but "grand".. the first few months I was here I just ignored it and guessed.

    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,207 ✭✭✭The King of Moo


    Asmooh wrote: »
    Oh and I was just wondering, my English is not perfect, but I guess your Dutch is not either.
    I always, (specially in real life) trying to say all the words that should be said correctly.

    So no slang, no missing letters.. while on internet I write "won't" instead of "will not" but "grand".. the first few months I was here I just ignored it and guessed.

    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    I had my doubts at first, but now I'm convinced you're trolling.


  • Posts: 50,630 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Asmooh wrote: »
    Oh and I was just wondering, my English is not perfect, but I guess your Dutch is not either.
    I always, (specially in real life) trying to say all the words that should be said correctly.

    So no slang, no missing letters.. while on internet I write "won't" instead of "will not" but "grand".. the first few months I was here I just ignored it and guessed.

    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    You say "grand" means €1,000.

    That's slang for €1,000.

    As someone else pointed out, you say "what the hell", that's slang for "what does this mean".

    So you're using slang.

    And you're thing that people in belfast speak proper, yet you say "speak proper" so you can't be all that sure of what "proper" sounds like.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭Asmooh


    You say "grand" means €1,000.

    That's slang for €1,000.

    As someone else pointed out, you say "what the hell", that's slang for "what does this mean".

    So you're using slang.

    And you're thing that people in belfast speak proper, yet you say "speak proper" so you can't be all that sure of what "proper" sounds like.

    Proper is what people should speak in London that are born and raised there and not living in a "cheaper" neighbourhood, as well as British was in the 1800's. For me, that is proper

    Also, Google tells me it is "1000": https://www.google.ie/search?q=what+is+a+grand


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭Hammer89


    Asmooh wrote: »
    Proper is what people should speak in London that are born and raised there and not living in a "cheaper" neighbourhood, as well as British was in the 1800's. For me, that is proper.

    You'd love Downton Abbey.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,221 ✭✭✭circadian


    Asmooh wrote: »

    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    Aye, dead on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,564 ✭✭✭✭steddyeddy


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I'm living here for almost a year now and I do understand what it means but I don't.

    When someone says "grand" to me I expect to get 1000 euro's or so.. but I never do, but specially in other terms and words why saying "grand".

    It's grand = It's okay? or it's great?
    Why not use those two.


    When I search on Google I get "slang", so I searched what the hell slang is.
    And there are two options

    attack (someone) using abusive language.

    a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.

    Wiki tels me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slang


    "It's a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility."

    On the other hand, slang tends to emphasize social and contextual understanding. The expression "down size" is an example of jargon, while the adjective "gnarly" is an example of slang. "Down size" originated from 1990's era corporate jargon, as a euphemistic way to talk about layoffs.


    I never grew up with those words that's why I ask.

    also: http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/slang/proper-english-versus-slang.html



    Anyway, why the slang instead of proper English?

    Proper English like the original west Germanic language?

    Language evolves and Hiberno-English is a language in itself IMO.


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  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 26,403 Mod ✭✭✭✭Peregrine


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I always, (specially in real life) trying to say all the words that should be said correctly.

    So no slang, no missing letters.. while on internet I write "won't" instead of "will not"

    There's nothing wrong with standard contractions such as "won't".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 752 ✭✭✭TheBigGreen


    It's grand lawd


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    Grand day for the race


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 891 ✭✭✭Falcon L


    circadian wrote: »
    Aye, dead on.
    Stickin' out a mile. :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,299 ✭✭✭✭The Backwards Man


    Falcon L wrote: »
    Stickin' out a mile. :D

    Wee buns.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 35,731 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    Asmooh wrote: »
    Proper is what people should speak in London that are born and raised there and not living in a "cheaper" neighbourhood, as well as British was in the 1800's. For me, that is proper

    Also, Google tells me it is "1000": https://www.google.ie/search?q=what+is+a+grand

    You're 'avin a giraffe, mate.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,117 ✭✭✭✭Junkyard Tom


    When ye goooooooe will ye send baaack a lettur fruuum America
    Take a looooooke at the rail track, frum Miami to Can-a-da.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,775 ✭✭✭✭kfallon


    When ye goooooooe will ye send baaack a lettur fruuum America
    Take a looooooke at the rail track, frum Miami to Can-a-da.

    Oh you big bastard, now I'm singing along :mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,969 ✭✭✭Mesrine65


    Asmooh wrote: »
    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.
    Don't be minding those feckers, they don't speak proper English like what we do ;):p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,814 ✭✭✭harry Bailey esq


    It basically means everything is irie Mon.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,544 ✭✭✭Samaris


    It's just one of those words. Maybe a bit like "stout" in Dutch, where it's got a faintly negative sense to it now, as in "bold/naughty", but it used to mean "bold/brave".

    Actually, that's a bit of an odd one in English too, since "bold" used to mean "brave", but now means "naughty". Grand (and "great" too) used to mean (and mostly still does elsewhere) big or large, as in French grande, but is commonly used here as "good".

    Other more widespread slang with a similar journey would be "epic" or "awesome", both of which should give an indication of scale rather than being "good".

    Think of "I'm grand!" as meaning "I am (largely) content."

    Interestingly, we have it at the other end too - fine indicates something is small, precise, delicate - a fine thread, fine weaving. "Fine weaving" in the most literal sense means that it is woven using very small threads in a very precise manner, but nowadays could be used more loosely to mean "that is very nice weaving".


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,694 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    Asmooh wrote: »
    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    Maybe the interpreter just spoke more pwapah


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭Asmooh


    Maybe the interpreter just spoke more pwapah

    I was at the store, not going on a tour


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,694 ✭✭✭✭Alf Veedersane


    Asmooh wrote: »
    I was at the store, not going on a tour

    And you understood the natives?

    Colour me impressed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,609 ✭✭✭stoneill


    Grand stretch in the evening.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,469 ✭✭✭Asmooh


    And you understood the natives?

    Colour me impressed.

    Yes, no problem at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,311 ✭✭✭youtheman


    My son spent a year in the U.S. and he found that he always had to explain himself when he was asked how he was and replied 'Grand'.

    I think the origin of the use of this phrase is tied to the Irish propensity to be 'middle of the road'. If you told someone you were feeling bad, then they'd be obliged to delve a bit further. If you told then you were 'great' then they'd wonder why you were great (and they weren't). But 'grand' means 'I'm not boasting or complaining, I'm happy to keep my head down and not bring attention to myself - move on'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,815 ✭✭✭imitation


    I like to think it came into use because as a nation of sarcastic feckers, the word Grand which is used to describe something impressively large, seemed juuust perfect for describing your slightly dry roast dinner or hungover Sunday.

    How else would have a word that would be used to desribe goings on in London, Paris or New York, end up some commonly used in plain ole Ireland unless we were being our Ironic selves.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,887 ✭✭✭traprunner


    Asmooh wrote: »
    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    So it doesn't sound like this to you?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,642 ✭✭✭MRnotlob606


    Asmooh wrote: »
    Oh and I was just wondering, my English is not perfect, but I guess your Dutch is not either.
    I always, (specially in real life) trying to say all the words that should be said correctly.

    So no slang, no missing letters.. while on internet I write "won't" instead of "will not" but "grand".. the first few months I was here I just ignored it and guessed.

    But after visiting Belfast a few times I notice they speak more proper over there, bit different compare to my friends in England but it sounds more proper.

    WOW we got a badass over here.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,221 ✭✭✭circadian


    I had my doubts at first, but now I'm convinced you're trolling.

    Well,
    Asmooh wrote: »
    When I search on Google I get "slang", so I searched what the hell slang is.

    and
    Asmooh wrote: »
    gosh that slang language, really bad.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=95486398


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