The 06 January is Epiphany. In Spain and in Russia (and possibly in other countries), it is for many the main Christmas Day, i.e. the day when the children get their Christmas presents. In Spain it is the Reyes Magos, the three kings, that bring the presents. Many Christian religions celebrate the arrival of the three wise men (kings) at the birth place of Jesus to bring presents.

In Ireland this day is the last day of the Christmas period for many and Christmas decorations and Christmas trees are usually removed on that day. Schools start again after the 06 January with the Christmas period being terminated now.
 

Interestingly, another tradition is celebrated in Ireland: The day is also called "Little Christmas" or "Nollaig Bheag" and on that day some people celebrate "Women's Christmas". Women's Christmas (Nollaig na mBan) is still strong in Cork and Kerry and it is so called because on that day the Irish men are meant to take over all household duties for one day and women go out to party with their female friends and relatives. I wonder how this "once a year" help really works out. Maybe the work is just ignored for that day and the woman has to do the work for two days then the next day?  :-o
 

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With Mothering Sunday on April 3rd (IRL)  I thought these may stir up some memories...

Things my mother taught me:

(1).    My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE:
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside -- I just finished cleaning!"

(2).    My mother taught me RELIGION:
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

(3).    My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

(4).    My mother taught me LOGIC:
"Because I said so, that's why!"

(5).    My mother taught me FORESIGHT:
"Be sure you wear clean underwear in case you're in an accident."

(6).    My mother taught me IRONY:
"Keep laughing and I'll give you something to cry about."

(7).    My mother taught me about OSMOSIS:
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

(8).    My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM:
"Will you look at the dirt on the back of your neck!"

(9).    My mother taught me about STAMINA:
"You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."

(10).   My mother taught me about WEATHER:
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room."

(11).   My mother taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS:
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you, would you listen then?"

(12).   My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY:
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times -- don't exaggerate!!!"

(13).   My mother taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE:
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

(14).   My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION:
"Stop acting like your father!"

(15).   My mother taught me about ENVY:
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

A man loves his sweetheart the most; his wife the best, but his mother the longest.  ~Irish Proverb

Again, these have been accessed from the Net - feel free to add to it :)

Amusing Irish Sayings

I just thought that I’d create this blog for all ye homesick Oirishers out there –or for those of you who are of Irish descent – just a brief look at the “sayings” that would be used to try to communicate. They just roll of the tongue and no one bats an eyelid, that's just the way it rolls....

And a lot of the sayings are really cruel or insulting, but we take it with such great humour and we always have a comeback, if you're not witty and quick, you wont survive in Ireland!!

Those that appear obscure I will try to translate for you (giggling) but really sit back and have a laugh! I will keep it clean for those sensitive eyes.....

Yer MA!!.......................... .........In place of the ever popular American phrase, Yo Momma
Bleedin Deadly......................Ra ther Enjoyable
Thats a Loada Bollox............It's quite unfair
Story horse?............ hello friend, has an event of any great significance occurred in your life in the past few days

Gerrup outta dat........... please sir, I insist that you desist with talk or actions of the nature with which you have currently pre-occupied yourself

state o'you............ either your dress sense/common sense/ personal hygiene/ general demeanour or drunken mannerisms offend me. Cover thyself woman!

Would ye?(+nod)......... Would one wish to engage in the act of fornication with the female(or male) of the species to been seen in the direction which the tilted head was aimed?

On me todd........I am all alone, unaccompanied and left cold from a lack of human contact
C'mer to me now ya durty lookin eejit.......Sometimes a term of affection, other times-NOT
QUARE.....quare good, quare bad.....this is a big Carlow saying
Deadly....Great
Savage....Great
A proper amadan....A stupid idiot
Gaff...Your house
Not worth a shite.....Something that is useless, could be a person or a thing
On da ball....Something that's really good, a person, place or thing
A drop of scald......A nice cup of tea
She didn't have a screed on her.....A girl with no clothes on

God be with yiz now.....Saying goodbye
Have yiz no home to go to? (usually said at the pub when people are still drinking after the doors close)

Acting the maggot.......Messing around, I say this to my young one all the time, "stop acting the maggot there now you!"!!!
That car is banjaxed.....Meaning the car is totally wrecked
He's a right chancer......Someone who is tricky, need to keep an eye on him
The craic was ninety......Brilliant fun or great laugh
She's a face on her like a well slapped arse..... beauty wouldn't be her strong point
She's as rough as a bear's arse......manners would not be her forte
Not even the tide would take her out....again not a lady of great beauty
A sniper wouldn't take her out.....ditto
he'd come out sucking his thumb from a barful of women ....not the best at scoring with women
Here he/she is the cats pyjamas....cocky young fella/girl

Things mothers would say:
Sweet mother of incarnations......
Sweet Jesus above in Heaven
Holy Mother of sweet Jesus
Holy mother God
Be da Jaysus
Christ Almighty
Jesus, Mary and holy saint Joseph and all the saints, pray for us

I've sourced most of these from the web - and if you have more just add them!
 

Category: Allgemein | 18 Comment(s)