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Archive for the year 2009

An Deireadh le “Ceann” – Go Ceann Tamaill! Posted by on Sep 10, 2009

Oh, I just couldn’t resist a few more, especially since these compound words are almost transparent – in other words, they mean just about exactly what you think they’d mean.  That’s assuming you spot the cognates, of course:   a) ceanncheathrú [say: KYAN-HYAH-roo, 2nd “c” is silent, “t” is silent]   b) ceannfhocal [say: KYAN-OK-ul…

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Cúpla Cor Cainte Eile leis an bhFocal “Ceann” (A Few More “Ceann” Idioms) Posted by on Sep 7, 2009

(le Róislín) Here are a few more “head phrases,” that is, phrases with the Irish word “ceann” (head, end, extremity, one, top, etc.).  There are actually probably several hundred idiomatic, figurative, or non-literal uses of “ceann,” so once again this is just cúpla sampla.    Teach ceann tuí: thatched house, lit. house of a head/roof…

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Ó Cheann Ceann an Fhocail “Ceann”: The Word “Head/End” from End to End Posted by on Sep 4, 2009

Before completely leaving that intriguing compound in the surname Ó Cinnéide (ceann  éide), how about looking further at the word “ceann” itself?  It has lots of extended meanings besides “head” and “end” and is used in a few colorful expressions.  Seo cúpla ceann:   The preceding phrase was one example of the extended meanings of…

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An Sloinne ‘Ó Cinnéide’ (Kennedy): Ciall an tSloinne Posted by on Sep 1, 2009

(le Róislín) Having delved a bit into some of the extended Kennedy family lineage, I thought it might be suimiúil to look into the sloinne itself, especially since its meaning seems to belie the family’s classic dathúlacht (good looks).  How’s that for a mid-blog cliffhanger?   As you may already know, the Ó part of the…

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Edward Moore Kennedy (1932-2009) (Cuid a Dó) Posted by on Aug 29, 2009

Cad iad na sloinnte eile i gcraobh ghinealaigh Uí Chinnéide?  What are the other surnames in the Kennedy family tree?  The English equivalents are given at the end of the blog.  Agus cárbh as na teaghlaigh?  Seo cuid acu, ar a laghad (here are some of them, at least).    Mac Gearailt:  Ba é “Mac…

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Edward Moore Kennedy (1932-2009): An Mac Ab Óige de Chlann Uí Chinnéide ar Shlí na Fírinne (Cuid a hAon) Posted by on Aug 26, 2009

As with the other recent capsúlbheathaisnéisí for McCourt, Jackson, and Thomas-Ellis, I will not attempt here to cover the wide realm of activities for the late Seanadóir Edward Moore Kennedy, but simply to touch on the Irish connection highlights.  The world has already expressed its comhbhrón, with statements pouring in since the Senator’s death was…

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Cúpla Teanga Eile (Cathú Dochloíte): Gearmáinis, Gaillis, Ollainis, Seicis, srl. Posted by on Aug 22, 2009

Ah, well, this is still only barr an chnoic oighir.  But, cén dochar?    I’ve picked some representative figures here to illustrate someone saying they speak a given language.    Is mise Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Labhraím Gearmáinis.   Is muide Asterix agus Obelix.  Labhraímid Gaillis agus Laidin.   Is mise Vincent Van Gogh.  Labhraím…

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