We’re all familiar with the leprechaun and Erin go bragh, but do you know how to order a glass of usquebaugh, find a cluricaun, or speak with a fine Irish brogue? The new zippier Dictionary.com is chock full o’ words that are fun to use this St. Paddy’s Day. (Or St. Patty’s Day, if you must.)
Try speaking with a thick brogue when pronouncing the following Irish terms:
- Craic – [krak] Fun and entertainment, especially good conversation and company. Often preceded by the, as in, Come for the beer, lads, and stay for the craic!
- Usquebaugh – [uhs-kwi-baw, -bah] Whiskey; comes from the Gaelic phrase uisce beatha meaning “water of life.”
- Ceilidh – [key-lee] A party or gathering where singing and storytelling are the usual forms of entertainment. The term derives from the Old Irish word céile meaning “companion.”
- Cluricaun – An Irish elf, or perhaps a fairy, in the form of a tiny old man. He exists in a state of perpetual drunkenness and loves to play practical jokes.
- Fear gorta – Literally means “man of hunger” in Irish. This supernatural being roams the earth in the form of an emaciated man during times of famine. He begs for food, and bestows good fortune on those who help him.
