What are the commonest words of Irish derivation in the English language?

xfacilitatorx

Not the answer you seek, but fun and informative none the less. http://dictionary.reference.com/features/stpatricks.html http://dictionary.reference.com/features/stpatricks.html Mar 17 06, 12:58 PM

peasypod

Ahhh, now I know for sure about those smithereens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_English_words_of_Irish_origin Mar 17 06, 2:58 PM

Baloo55th

One problem is that some words could be of Scottish Gaelic origin. If you spell it whiskey, it's of Irish origin (the word, not the booze!). Whisky is from Scottish Gaelic. Mar 17 06, 3:33 PM

gmackematix

I agree, Baloo, as the OED favours the Scottish origin of words like gob and slogan (the latter from "sluagh-gairm", a war cry), but it is nigh impossible to definitively peg down which side of the Irish Sea had the most influence. A word very common around here, namely "quiz", has a well known but totally unauthenticated story attached and the link between "phoney" and "fianne" isn't fully established. And it's best to be sure to be sure. I'd say bog and brogue must be among the most widespread Irish words. Here in England, another much used word is Tory, which derives from the Irish for "plunderer". Mar 18 06, 7:25 AM

kevinom

glamour boreen smithereens "conic" from cnoc in the tuisel ginideach becomes chnoic which is hill a hill may be vaguely conical in shape. but bear in mind the celtic language was already part of britain before the roman invasion. and places like yorkshire, newcastle and the west country still have vague mixes of pronouniation and local vernacular which stem form the britons. whilst in cornwall some british descendants still exist. Mar 21 06, 8:54 AM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

What is the derivation of the word to 'lynch'? What is the derivation of the X used at the end of a note or letter to signify a kiss? What is the derivation of the term "Heretic?" Why was it applied to people who practice unexplainable science? Who named Jamaica, the beautiful island located in the West Indies, and what is the derivation of the word 'Jamaica'?

1 Authors of the English Language Can you name these authors who wrote in English? Authors and their Works Average 10 Q mikejr Feb 11 01 2025 plays 2 Foreigners in the English Language No language can do without the benefit of 'free import' of new words from its neighbours. Especially not a world-language like English. Just see if you can 'identify' these foreigners in disguise. Borrowed Words and Phrases Average 10 Q chrissie_26 Sep 05 01 3879 plays 3 'Hastings' And The English Language It's common knowledge that after 'The Battle of Hastings', the 'Norman Conquest' created a mixed language with Anglo-Saxon and French vocabulary overlapping each other. This quiz deals with some of the more remarkable effects. Linguistics Average 10 Q flem-ish Mar 31 02 7518 plays