# Etymology

All time

The Irish For: Maura Higgins has brought the word 'shift' to a new audience - but where does it come from?

Shifting is a regional use of a global term, so you can’t just search for the first recorded incidence – you have to look at context.

66.6k

Jul 28th 2019, 8:30 AM

# words words words

People 'make a hames' of things every day, but what is a 'hames' anyway? We investigate

The very Irish phrase is probably not very Irish in origin.

22.8k

Jan 31st 2017, 6:18 PM

# Say what?

7 everyday items you're definitely calling the wrong name

And you hadn’t the clue, the entire damn time.

36.9k

Jun 7th 2014, 9:30 AM

# geebag

8 very interesting origins of Irish slang words

Those words. The good ones. Where do they come from?

133k

May 25th 2014, 8:15 PM

# sweary

The effing amazing origins of 6 expletives

Hell, no.

22.4k

Dec 14th 2013, 5:00 PM

Voices

Column: Yola and Fingalian – the forgotten ancient English dialects of Ireland

Yola was a fascinating mediaeval English dialect only spoken in Wexford which, along with Fingallian in Co Dublin, demonstrates the rich, multicultural society that was ancient Ireland, writes Damian Shiels.

9.2k

Jul 14th 2013, 7:30 PM

# Bad Language

5 everyday words that are actually a little bit racist

Have you accidentally been using racial slurs? Probably.

29.5k

Jun 23rd 2012, 9:15 AM