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Midered/mithered

  • 26-02-2011 12:37PM
    #1
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,229 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Curious about the etymology of this term. "I was well mithered" - I was annoyed/irritated.
    I have heard it frequently in Ireland and Cumbria.
    Likewise with "vexed" - not that I am, mind you, just curious.


Comments

  • #2
    clouds
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 206 ✭✭clouds


    Do you want my unsubstantiated guesswork?
    Mithered sounds like it comes from Irish, perhaps a similar word exists in Scots Gaelic which would trickle down to Cumbria. I bet a Gaelgoir would be able to tell you if such a word exists. The way the 'th' sound is pronounced is fairly common in Hiberno English.
    Vexed sounds Elizabethan to me. Maybe used in Shakespeare?


  • #3
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,229 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Just came across this; http://www.southportforums.com/forums/printthread.php?t=50384262&pp=40


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 11,928 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    slowburner wrote: »
    Just came across this; http://www.southportforums.com/forums/printthread.php?t=50384262&pp=40

    I think you have to register to see any information will that link?

    I use Mithered more to mean headwrecked or confused.


  • #5
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,229 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Moonbaby wrote: »
    I think you have to register to see any information will that link?

    I use Mithered more to mean headwrecked or confused.

    My apologies. It seems that the url I gave above no longer goes to the relevant bit. I'll try an find it again.


  • #6
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,229 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    No luck, I'm afraid. Things have changed on that forum since I was there last. The information regarding usage of Midered across the pond, was quite interesting. Pity.


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  • #7
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,229 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    clouds wrote: »
    Do you want my unsubstantiated guesswork?
    Mithered sounds like it comes from Irish, perhaps a similar word exists in Scots Gaelic which would trickle down to Cumbria. I bet a Gaelgoir would be able to tell you if such a word exists. The way the 'th' sound is pronounced is fairly common in Hiberno English.
    Vexed sounds Elizabethan to me. Maybe used in Shakespeare?

    From what I can glean, the word is prevalent in the North of England and Ireland.


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