Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Starmer 'ready' to send UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, European leaders to hold crisis talks
Man jailed for life for the rape and murder of Danielle McLaughlin in India
Taoiseach leads tributes to jockey Michael O’Sullivan who died aged 24 after fall at Thurles
Jellyfish: Smugairle Róin PA Wire/PA Images
column
The Irish For... Seal snot The literal translations of sea creatures are brilliant
The Irish term for a jellyfish translates literally as seal snot. If this floats your boat you might also enjoy mathair shúigh – suckmother – for squid.
This the latest dispatch from our columnist Darach Ó Séaghdha, author of the award-winning and bestselling Motherfoclóir. Every Sunday morning, Darach will be regaling (re-Gaeling?) us with insights on what the Irish language says about Ireland, our society, our past and our present. Enjoy.
AFTER DECADES OF genuine and hard-won progress, relations between Ireland and Britain are in a bad place.
Not an all-time low, of course, but there’s not much comfort in that when you consider how bad the Famine was.
Then again, the British have a very different understanding of the Famine than we do. This often expresses itself in the question ‘if the potato crop was so bad, why didn’t the Irish just go fishing? They were on an island, weren’t they?’
In such instances, Karl Rove’s famous quip that ‘when you’re explaining, you’re losing’ applies.
Suffice it to say that the Irish were fishing, and were fluently acquainted with the mysterious creatures who swam in the briny waters surrounding their unhappy but resolute island. In fact, there is a cornucopia of Irish words for sea creatures to prove it.
Advertisement
Smugairle Róin: The Irish term for a jellyfish translates literally as seal snot. If this floats your boat you might also enjoy gráinneog thrá (beach hedgehog) for sea urchin and mathair shúigh (suckmother) for squid.
Gliomach: This is the Irish word for a lobster.
The seanfhocal ‘is fánach an áit a bhfaighfeá gliomach’ literally translates as ‘an odd place to find a lobster’. The meaning is ‘it’s a small world’ or ‘fancy seeing you here’.
Gliomóg: Not a million miles from the word above, this means a small lobster. It is also delightfully close to liomóg, which means a pinch – something a gliomóg might give you.
Stadhan: This doesn’t have a direct equivalent word in English; it means a flock of birds hovering over a shoal of fish.
A shoal of fish could be referred to as a rath, just like the Gaelic fortressed dwellings that still give their names to Irish towns like Rathangan and Rathmines.
Friotáil: A stadhan might assemble above a friotáil – that’s another word without a direct match in English. It means the motion on the water’s surface caused by a shoal of fish underneath.
Liamhan: The English word shark sounds just like the Irish word searc, meaning romantic love, a darling or beloved.
Related Reads
The Irish For... A drunken swaggerer and a place abounding in dogs
Liamhán is the Irish for a shark; this shy, peaceful fish has been slandered by many Hollywood movies – the seanfhocal ‘chomh sámh le liamhán gréine’ means ‘as relaxed as a basking shark’.
Scudal: Father Dinneen described the scudal as ‘a useless fish… thought to be the ugliest fish in existence’.
If you think such personal remarks about animals are unbecoming of a lexicographer, I’m sorry to report that this isn’t an isolated incident. Bishop O’Brien’s entry for gamal describes a camel as ‘the most stupid of all beasts’.
Cíoch Farraige: The Irish for a sea anemone literally means rock boob. In Ireland this creature was named by fisherman rather than scientists. The Greek word anemone itself literally means daughter of the wind.
Bairís: As with anemone, phosphorescence is such a long and clumsy word in English, but the Irish term again, used by fishermen haunted by the slowing in the ocean at night, is short and snappy.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
16 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Why would the employer then not have the right to reclaim this from the person who committed the crime? If this is not possible now it could be changed.
A fine example would be if a post man gets bitten by your dog would you not expect to pay the damages?
It just seems so wrong to use public money (us being the public) to pay for the crimes of individuals who often have one hell of a criminal past?
I’m not disagreeing with you, but its the way it works.
Totally agree with you regarding the people who commit these types of crimes being nothing but a drain on society and that they should be held more to account – at the very least naming them in stories like this would be a good start, and if possible taking into account damages that have to be paid as a result of their actions when they are being given their suspended sentence.
Of course the situation isn’t helped by the fact that the Department of Justices position is to challenge every single claim made by a Garda, often dragging out the case for damages long beyond any criminal action against the perpetrator.
As for the postman, I’m pretty sure they would have to make a claim against An Post in that case.
I’m fairly sure that a private company would have insurance to cover work-related claims, to protect their own funds. Can the department not set up a policy of some kind for the few who will be injured in the course of their job?
Remove the fact that it’s a Garda who was the victim and read the article again. I have no doubt the opinion of most people would change. And that’s what’s wrong. A man was attacked, suffered permanent injury and was rightfully compensated.
The journal going to report on the mother and daughters (aged between 8-14) who have been stabbed in a french resort by Muslim man for dressing ‘Haram’ ???
Been a couple of hours, still not newsworthy, even though an 8yo girls is in critical condition.
I suppose it’s just not unusual enough to warrant the news eh?
Well folks if you’re out in the sun with your kids and you daughters are in their swimsuits just watch out for cultural enrichment.
The Gardai may not a decent starting wage and probably not a worthy wage for what some may face.. Although they sure as hell make up for it with compo claims! While I certainly believe some times money is deserved but there needs to be some sort of cap put in place. They go to the job knowing the risks. There should be some guidelines in place. It’s like a plumber suing his employer for getting wet and then some how getting pneumonia or something.
Its more like a plumber turning up for work and being told by his employer that he has to work an 12 hour shift in a dirty, freezing canal, but it’s ok because he’ll be given appropriate safety equipment; and then handing him a pair of bermuda shorts and a snorkel mask.
Getting like america… Man hired an automatic camper van in the states…few hours into the journey he decided to have a rest and get his head down in the back seat for a couple of hours…few minutes later the camper van crashed in to barriers and the man sustained serious injuries. He was awarded a huge payout…his solicitors highlighted the fact that ” no where in the instruction manual does it warn the driver that although it’s a automatic vehicle, it will not drive you to the destination automatically and the car must be steered manually”. True story!
I had sciatica for almost 2 years and was unable to sit and walk. Chiropractors, acupuncture didn’t help me at all. The situation was really bad. However, one day by searching google for alternative treatments I found an e-book that was created by former sciatica sufferer. He claimed that he cured his severe sciatica in one week at his home. I was skeptical about it, but I had nothing to lose, so I bought that e-book (http://dietandhealthreviews.com/sciatica-sos-review/). After receiving it, I didn’t believe that some specific stretches can help me to deal with sciatica, but I started following it and surprisingly after first session my pain was almost gone! It didn’t last long until my sciatica went away permanently. So from now on, I recommend everyone who have sciatica to practice specific stretches and hope for the best.
Starmer 'ready' to send UK peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, European leaders to hold crisis talks
Updated
1 hr ago
3.7k
goa
Man jailed for life for the rape and murder of Danielle McLaughlin in India
24 mins ago
922
RIP
Taoiseach leads tributes to jockey Michael O’Sullivan who died aged 24 after fall at Thurles
Updated
20 hrs ago
47.9k
Your Cookies. Your Choice.
Cookies help provide our news service while also enabling the advertising needed to fund this work.
We categorise cookies as Necessary, Performance (used to analyse the site performance) and Targeting (used to target advertising which helps us keep this service free).
We and our 148 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. If trackers are disabled, some content and ads you see may not be as relevant to you. You can resurface this menu to change your choices or withdraw consent at any time by clicking the Cookie Preferences link on the bottom of the webpage .Your choices will have effect within our Website. For more details, refer to our Privacy Policy.
We and our vendors process data for the following purposes:
Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development.
Cookies Preference Centre
We process your data to deliver content or advertisements and measure the delivery of such content or advertisements to extract insights about our website. We share this information with our partners on the basis of consent. You may exercise your right to consent, based on a specific purpose below or at a partner level in the link under each purpose. Some vendors may process your data based on their legitimate interests, which does not require your consent. You cannot object to tracking technologies placed to ensure security, prevent fraud, fix errors, or deliver and present advertising and content, and precise geolocation data and active scanning of device characteristics for identification may be used to support this purpose. This exception does not apply to targeted advertising. These choices will be signaled to our vendors participating in the Transparency and Consent Framework.
Manage Consent Preferences
Necessary Cookies
Always Active
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then these services may not function properly.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to monitor our performance.
Store and/or access information on a device 102 partners can use this purpose
Cookies, device or similar online identifiers (e.g. login-based identifiers, randomly assigned identifiers, network based identifiers) together with other information (e.g. browser type and information, language, screen size, supported technologies etc.) can be stored or read on your device to recognise it each time it connects to an app or to a website, for one or several of the purposes presented here.
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services development 133 partners can use this purpose
Use limited data to select advertising 103 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times an ad is presented to you).
Create profiles for personalised advertising 75 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present advertising that appears more relevant based on your possible interests by this and other entities.
Use profiles to select personalised advertising 74 partners can use this purpose
Advertising presented to you on this service can be based on your advertising profiles, which can reflect your activity on this service or other websites or apps (like the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects.
Create profiles to personalise content 36 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service (for instance, forms you submit, non-advertising content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (such as your previous activity on this service or other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (which might for example include possible interests and personal aspects). Your profile can be used (also later) to present content that appears more relevant based on your possible interests, such as by adapting the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find content that matches your interests.
Use profiles to select personalised content 32 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on your content personalisation profiles, which can reflect your activity on this or other services (for instance, the forms you submit, content you look at), possible interests and personal aspects. This can for example be used to adapt the order in which content is shown to you, so that it is even easier for you to find (non-advertising) content that matches your interests.
Measure advertising performance 124 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which advertising is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine how well an advert has worked for you or other users and whether the goals of the advertising were reached. For instance, whether you saw an ad, whether you clicked on it, whether it led you to buy a product or visit a website, etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of advertising campaigns.
Measure content performance 59 partners can use this purpose
Information regarding which content is presented to you and how you interact with it can be used to determine whether the (non-advertising) content e.g. reached its intended audience and matched your interests. For instance, whether you read an article, watch a video, listen to a podcast or look at a product description, how long you spent on this service and the web pages you visit etc. This is very helpful to understand the relevance of (non-advertising) content that is shown to you.
Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources 72 partners can use this purpose
Reports can be generated based on the combination of data sets (like user profiles, statistics, market research, analytics data) regarding your interactions and those of other users with advertising or (non-advertising) content to identify common characteristics (for instance, to determine which target audiences are more receptive to an ad campaign or to certain contents).
Develop and improve services 79 partners can use this purpose
Information about your activity on this service, such as your interaction with ads or content, can be very helpful to improve products and services and to build new products and services based on user interactions, the type of audience, etc. This specific purpose does not include the development or improvement of user profiles and identifiers.
Use limited data to select content 37 partners can use this purpose
Content presented to you on this service can be based on limited data, such as the website or app you are using, your non-precise location, your device type, or which content you are (or have been) interacting with (for example, to limit the number of times a video or an article is presented to you).
Use precise geolocation data 42 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, your precise location (within a radius of less than 500 metres) may be used in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Actively scan device characteristics for identification 24 partners can use this special feature
With your acceptance, certain characteristics specific to your device might be requested and used to distinguish it from other devices (such as the installed fonts or plugins, the resolution of your screen) in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Ensure security, prevent and detect fraud, and fix errors 82 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Your data can be used to monitor for and prevent unusual and possibly fraudulent activity (for example, regarding advertising, ad clicks by bots), and ensure systems and processes work properly and securely. It can also be used to correct any problems you, the publisher or the advertiser may encounter in the delivery of content and ads and in your interaction with them.
Deliver and present advertising and content 92 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
Certain information (like an IP address or device capabilities) is used to ensure the technical compatibility of the content or advertising, and to facilitate the transmission of the content or ad to your device.
Match and combine data from other data sources 65 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Information about your activity on this service may be matched and combined with other information relating to you and originating from various sources (for instance your activity on a separate online service, your use of a loyalty card in-store, or your answers to a survey), in support of the purposes explained in this notice.
Link different devices 48 partners can use this feature
Always Active
In support of the purposes explained in this notice, your device might be considered as likely linked to other devices that belong to you or your household (for instance because you are logged in to the same service on both your phone and your computer, or because you may use the same Internet connection on both devices).
Identify devices based on information transmitted automatically 81 partners can use this feature
Always Active
Your device might be distinguished from other devices based on information it automatically sends when accessing the Internet (for instance, the IP address of your Internet connection or the type of browser you are using) in support of the purposes exposed in this notice.
Save and communicate privacy choices 60 partners can use this special purpose
Always Active
The choices you make regarding the purposes and entities listed in this notice are saved and made available to those entities in the form of digital signals (such as a string of characters). This is necessary in order to enable both this service and those entities to respect such choices.
have your say