Interesting words and phrases you've heard today

FearDark wrote: »

Christ on a bicycle.


Try it.

Reminds me of 'Look at the head on that fella and the price of turnips'

I haven't heard either of them in years, but they certainly make a conversation more colourful.

'All mouth and no trousers' is an excellent turn of phrase, C-Shore. I last heard that maybe five years ago from one of my more cultured elderly neighbours whose descriptions of people and life are unparalleled.:)


Brouhaha and Hullabaloo, both cognate with 'rí rá agus ruaile buaile', are another two you'd hear regularly enough.


Brouhaha has the following interesting etymology according to:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=b&p=19

'from Fr. brouhaha (1552), said to have been, in medieval theater, "the cry of the devil disguised as clergy." Perhaps from Heb. barukh habba' "blessed be the one who comes," used on public occasions.'

Hullaballoo has been given this etymology: '1762, hollo-ballo "uproar," chiefly in northern England and Scot., perhaps a rhyming reduplication of hollo (see hello), also according to: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=hullabaloo

I was just thinking of the GAA phrasebook from a few years back. It should give all you dodgy culchie types a good laugh on your tractors if you haven't seen it already: GAA language may be defined by the following terminology:

HOLLY -- e.g. "I gave it holly"---I put a fair bit of effort into it.

B0LLIX----Pat Spillane or any kerry players or supporters.

MIGHTY---Very good.

HAMES---A right ****e-e.g.-"He made a hames of that chance".

TIMBER---Intimidation of a hurling opponent - e.g.- "Show him some timber".

LAMP----A good thump---e.g.-"I swung for the sliotar, missed by 3 feet and lamped the full back".

A CROWD---A gathering of people who watch a match and hope for random acts of violence -e.g-Meath supporters.

SCHKELP---To remove living tissue in the absence of surgical procedures -- e.g. "That hoor from Tipp took a schkelp outta me leg".

HATCHET MAN---Mountainy type, uses hunter/gatherer instincts.

BULLIN'---Angry-e.g-"The centre half was bullin' after I lamped him".

BULL THICK---Very angry-e.g.-"The centre half was bull thick after I lamped him again".

JOULT---A push-e.g.-"I gave him ! a joult and he has to wear a neck brace for 2 weeks".

THE COMM-A-TEEE---Local GAA bullsh*tters in general.

BUSHTED---An undefined soreness-e.g.-"Jayz me arm is bushted".

THE BOMBER---Popular name for a fat hairy GAA player (includes Laois defenders).

A HANG SANGWIDGE---Consumed with "tay" on the sides of roads after matches in Croker or Thurles, usually contains half a pound of butter.

RAKE-A great amount of anything, usually pints of Guinness the night before an important match.

INDANAMAJAYSUS (in-da-nama-Jaysus)--! -What was that for referee?

YA B0LLIX YA---Corner back's formal recognition of a score by his opponent.

LEH-IT-IN-TA-FK-WUD-YA---Full forwards appeal to a midfielder for a more timely delivery of the pass.

MULLOCKER---Untidy or awkward player released for matches.

BURST THE B0LL*X---Instructions from the sideline to tackle your man.

ROW---Disagreement involving four or more players.

MASSIVE ROW---Disagreement involving both teams, including goalies, substitutes and supporters jumping fences.

ALL-HELL-BROKE-LOOSE---A massive row that continues out in the parking area or dressing room areas, usually resolved by the Gardai.

From: http://caulry.westmeath.gaa.ie/gaaphrasebook.html