Comments on: Like + So + Now

By: Fergananim

Fergananim — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:53:13 +0000

Not only that, but how differently the language is expressed in the various parts of Ireland. It all comes from the fact that English in Ireland is a language spoken by people who think in Gaeilge (Irish) but express themselves in Bearla (English). This is so even for those of us who don’t have a word of Irish, because we learned to speck English from people who learned it from people who spoke it as a second, not-quite-fluent, language. No doubt there might be a sen-ban bocht in yeer neck of the dereens who’d like a meithal of langers as much as a jackeen gurrier would love a culchie. Sin é (now)!

By: Demure Lemur

Demure Lemur — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:14:15 +0000

This made me homesick! I used to have a yank boyfriend who would do impressions of my lovely Galwegian Mammy that involved making people tea and putting it in front of them with an emphatic ‘Now’.

I found your blog via the Irish Blog Awards page, and am oh so glad I did. It’s Ireland through a completely different lens. Congrats on the nominations!

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:04:49 +0000

I have given you a Sunshine Award. Drop over to my blog if/when you get a minute to collect it. It is under blog post ‘Sunshine Awards’. Jen.

By: Jen

Jen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:13:37 +0000

lol, I am guilty of the SO and NOW myself but it is not my fault. Apparently one of my first words was ‘Now so’ because this is what my Mum used to say to me when she gave me my bottle. See? Its ingrained into us. Right so girl, I’ll be off Jen.

By: Deirdre

Deirdre — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:14:23 +0000

This is a brilliant piece. Here in Dublin I don’t think the Like & So are used as much but as I only live here and am originally from Waterford I know exactly what you mean. My mother says Now so frequently it was one of my nieces first words! It was because of this that I realised I use it at a phenomenal rate.
Thanks,
D.

By: Kim Eis

Kim Eis — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:50:20 +0000

I very much LIKE this piece. Its so funny to hear how others use words and in what context. Funny you should have brought up Mrs. Luther (Mrs. Lucifer), didn’t know her but herad plenty about her. Heidi and I were just talking about her this past weekend SO…..have a lovely day. As always love reading your blog.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:35:44 +0000

I too, have become a regular user of “Now!” I picked it up my first summer in Ireland working in a pharmacy in Cork. I thought it was hilarious and at first I used it jokingly with Seamus, then somehow it crept into my regular vocabulary. You can imagine my surprise when the first word Niamh started using regularly was….you got it “Now!” At first I thought she was saying No, but I could tell she wasn’t saying no to anything, just saying it as she went about playing, and finally I caught on that she had picked up this Now thing from us! Hilarious.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:40:03 +0000

Also: “yeah” and “then.” Here’s your tea then. That scone looks delicious, yeah?

By: meredith

meredith — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:16:54 +0000

I have always been intrigued with how “english” is used in other countries. And I am the biggest mimic, that ends up sounding quite British five minutes after landing in London. I find this post most fascinating Imen.
Love your writing, and wish I could come on over and have a cup of tea NOW.