Just in time for Christmas – a glossary of Irish Mammy terms for the holidays

‘You’re only a Luadramán’ Common Irish Mammy phrases explained

There is nothing like some wisdom from your Irish mammy around the holidays.

Cork comedian Colm O’Regan originally began the @Irishmammies Twitter account, where he regularly tweets funny statements from your average Irish mammy such as, “Did one of ye pinch a bit off The Cake?... In. The. Name. Of. God. Can I not turn my back for ONE second in this house?”

He got such a response to his witty take on Irish mothers that he released a new book ,“Isn’t It Well For Ye – The Book Of Irish Mammies,” in which he explores the phenomenon of the Irish Mammy.

Here is a snapshot of O'Regan's book and a rundown of some common terms used by Irish Mammys.

A good one:

A coincidence or chance meeting. The coincidence chiefly relates to relations. ‘And it turns out wasn’t she the same Cathy Buggy that was a first cousin of Kieran Buggy who used to teach you the tin whistle. Isn’t that a good one?’

Aired:

A bed that has been treated with radiator, electric blanket and general worrying for a period of seven days prior to being slept in by visitor or returning child. See also Damp.

Damp:

Any item of clothing, or something capable of being sat or slept on, that has not achieved the sort of dryness one would expect.

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You needn’t:

It is better for the sake of cohesion or privacy within the family/community that you do not impart what Irish Mammy has just told you. ‘You needn’t bother telling your sister about that now,’ from a Dead Sea Scroll kept in a sealed jar in a desert cave. See also Aired

Deedn’I:

Abbreviated form of ‘Indeed, I’, but used to emphasize that the Mammy has very definitely not taken a course of action promulgated by legislators or the more vulgar aspects of society. ‘Deedn’I did not get any spray tan.’

Fostuch / Luadramán:

Children, usually male, who are at home watching telly when they should be:
• Out in the fresh air on a grand day like today
• Getting up to let their father sit down there, it’s his seat
• Helping their mother around the place. They’re well able.

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Horseplay / trick-acting / hi-jinks:

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