John Pepper's Ulster-English Dictionary [antikvár]

TcmvmdIf an Ulsterman is asked his opinion on a topic of the moment and replies that he has 'a nopen mine', he expects it to be appreciated that he has yet to come to a final décision on the issue. There are, however, many cases where he will not be instantly understood, and the aim of this guide to Ulster's 'morr tung' is to help clear the air for the bewildered.Dictionary is another name for a word-book. This is such a work for it seeks to bring together many of those words which fall from the lips of Ulster people and yet are not to be found in a more conventional lexicon. It is impossible, for example, in a normal dictionary to look up such expressions as 'ironaf', the reply if you ask a Belfastman what he gets for his lunch, or 'nattalat', the answer you may receive if you inquire what someone is growing in his garden.Colloquiai speech is constantly changing. Words pass from regulär use almost overnight and new ones are continually being added. Moreover, some of those listed in these pages may not be exclusive to Northern Ireland. Yet here is put on permanent record some elements of the unique word power which is a characteristic of the Ulsterman. It is not designed in any way as an academic work for the etymologist, but rather seeks to open the eyes of the man in the Street to the conséquences of opening his mouth, besides providing a helping hand to the visitor who is unaware that the advice 'niwer borr' means that the course of action he proposes is inadvisable, and who has never heard the word 'caheeing' applied to boisterous laughter.