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Tag Archives: madadh

When Is a Dog’s Dinner Not a ‘Dog’s Dinner’?: Some Irish Vocabulary Notes for “Mess” Posted by on Sep 7, 2017

(le Róislín) I recently heard some commentary on the radio equating the plans for Brexit (Breatimeacht) with a dog’s dinner.  And that got me thinking about another use of caint fháthchiallach / mheafarach, since we talked about the issue in the latest post (nasc thíos). Although “dog’s dinner,” as such, is not a traditional metaphorical…

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An bhfuil peata agat?  Talking about Pets in Irish: Madraí (Dogs) Posted by on Jul 18, 2017

(le Róislín) So, finally back to actual “peataí,” after some detours talking about sróna, nathracha (an mamba dubh), agus bia Meicsiceach (enchilada fada); naisc thíos.  We had left off with cait agus piscíní, and now, not surprisingly, we’ll start with an madra (the dog).  Or as some say, “an gadhar, “which also means “the dog.” …

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Ainmhithe Eile (ón Iolra go dtí an tUatha, from Plural to Singular) Posted by on Sep 12, 2012

(le Róislín) In the last blog, we created a chart with the names of various types of ceathairchosaigh chrúbacha (ungulate quadrupeds), going from the plural form to the singular form.  Why an t-iolra go dtí an t-uatha?  Just for a change of pace, is dócha.  So often we see an fhoirm uatha first, and then…

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What’s So “Leap” about “Leap Year” and Is It “Leap” in Irish (Bliain Bhisigh)? Posted by on Feb 26, 2012

(le Róislín) Looking at the terminology for “leap” in Irish got me thinking, why exactly do we call it “leap” year?  Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t going to be a discussion of the space-time continuum, if that’s even relevant, and it’s not going to be about how time really works (which I leave…

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An Uimhir Is Uaigní a Dhéanfaidh Tú Choíche (… the Loneliest Number …) Posted by on Aug 28, 2011

(le Róislín) “An uimhir is uaigní a ‘dhéanfaidh’ tú choíche.”  Cén uimhir í sin?  Uimhir a haon, ar ndóigh, de réir Harry Nilsson, ar a laghad.  Speaking of the number “one,” this might be a good time to discuss the two forms of the number “one” in Irish: a haon and amháin. Of all the…

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Mí Iúil: Mí Náisiúnta … (ainmnigh thusa é) Posted by on Jul 20, 2010

(le Róislín) Before continuing with specific holidays celebrated on specific days in July, let’s look at three subjects that are celebrated all month long, at least i Meiriceá: Brocairí Teo Uachtar Reoite Frithleadrán All are interesting to ponder as causes of celebration and all are interesting as far as vocabulary goes.  As far as I…

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