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'May the cat eat you, and may the devil then eat the cat': This isn't the Irish you learnt in school

Fancy a quick lesson in modern Irish? Look no further.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

IRISH IS FAR from a dead language, evolving constantly, and at a rate where words and phrases that modern daily speakers of the language might use are far from what many of us learned – or tried to learn – in school.

To mark the end of Seachtain na Gaeilge, we spoke on Facebook Live to Cormac Breathnach from Foclóir.ie about the nuances of Irish that you didn’t learn.

We explored how technology and social media has changed the language, examples of slang (féinín, meaning selfie), playful expressions, wordplay, and the words that don’t exist in English that do in Irish (ríomhaithne, meaning to know someone through talking online).

We also spoke about traditional Irish swears, which you might find will come in handy in future. Maybe take note of these:

“Loscadh is dó ort”: A scorching and burning upon you
“Imeacht gan teacht ort”: May you leave and never return
“Buineach ort”: Scour upon you (similar to f**k you)
“Go n-ithe an cat thú, is go n-ithe an diabhal an cat!”: May the cat eat you, and may the devil then eat the cat

Watch the full video above, and if you’re inspired, Cormac suggested these resources for picking up the language: 

Presented by Gráinne Ní Aodha. Production by Nicky Ryan.

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    Mute Mary McDonagh Faherty
    Favourite Mary McDonagh Faherty
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    Mar 11th 2022, 8:31 AM

    The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members. (Ghandi). Keep voting them in and there’s no hope of change. Just because it doesn’t affect you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do something about it.

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    Mute Mister Gooey
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    Mar 11th 2022, 7:45 AM

    A disgrace

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    Mute Karen 'Polly' Johnson
    Favourite Karen 'Polly' Johnson
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    Mar 11th 2022, 7:56 AM

    My son was 4 when first assessed, he is now 9, finally a diagnosis of Autism, but forcing him into main stream schools last for years has damaged him, finally in special school, but for his behaviors and anxiety, nothing to do with his Autism, my son is destroyed from HSE, couldn’t tell you the amount of times they lost his file, HSE PAID FOR HIM TO BE PRIVATELY AS HIS ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS LAST 4YRS NOT 3MONTHS AS ACCORDING TO DISABILITY ACT

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    Mute Sinéad Archbold
    Favourite Sinéad Archbold
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    Mar 11th 2022, 8:07 AM

    @Karen ‘Polly’ Johnson: I’m in the same boat . My son was diagnosed last year but is in receipt of no services at presently, thankfully in an ASD unit that helps him immensely. My daughter has just joined the waiting list and I’m dreading the wait.

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    Mute Gavin Mooney
    Favourite Gavin Mooney
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    Mar 11th 2022, 8:52 AM

    I feel for you guys in Ireland.
    Im Irish living in Australia.
    My son was diagnosed Autism at 3years of age.
    Almost straight away funding provided and early intervention programs in place.
    The difference in him has been amazing. Started main stream school in February and
    Has an Education assistance in class everyday,
    Seems very good system here .

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    Mute Michael Curran
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    Mar 11th 2022, 8:16 AM

    Justice delayed is justice denied. Unfortunately you don’t represent a large enough voting block. And so politicians don’t give a hoot . You could be considered negligent for not becoming a more cohesive voting block , but you’re probably too tided up and worn out from looking after your children

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    Mute Larry Rawson
    Favourite Larry Rawson
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    Mar 12th 2022, 1:35 AM

    NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE,Bloated wages in Hse for a population the size of Manchester it makes me sick to the stomach to hear this avoidable Travesty.

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