The language’s influence on modern English is evident and is responsible for many everyday words
From smithereens to tory, there are many common English language words that you probably didn’t realise came from Irish.
The Irish language, also referred to as gaeilge, was the population’s first language and is still very popular across the country.According to the most recent census, 39.8% of respondents in the Republic and 10.65% of the respondents in the north claimed they could speak the language.
Hooligan - meaning someone who takes part in rowdy behaviour - is said to have come from the Irish family name O hUallachain, which was anglicised as O'Houlihan. A popular British music hall song of the 1890s referenced the fictional Irish fighting family of O hUallachain, who were known for their bad social behaviour.The word Tory, commonly used to refer to a member of the UK Conservative Party, comes from the Irish Gaelic word ‘toraidhe’ meaning outlaw or robber. The phrase was popular in the 17th century when it was meant as an insult.Whiskey is the English interpretation of an old Irish name for the drink - uisce beatha which means water of life.
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