Words, Words, Words (First Edition)

Things overheard and read here in Dublin.

There are likely mountains of study as to why the Irish have taken so readily to the English language both spoken and written. After all, the language isn't native to the island, coming via eight centuries of contact with the "perfidious" English. And yet, Irish eloquence is world-renowned.

So I've begun compiling the phrases that catch my attention. They have included striking phrases that I read, as well as hilarious phrases that I overhear. For all of the overheard gems I can thank my mother: just like her, I'm becoming an unashamed eavesdropper. It's time that I embrace that label proudly before all the world, whatever the cost.

A quick note: eavesdropping is easier in Ireland. Irish voices carry a mesmerizing rhythm, and no idea of privacy precludes loud conversation on trains. It could be that eavesdropping isn't so shameful here. Or that no one suspects Americans like me might be lurking with their pens poised over notepads.

Without further ado, here are the highlights so far:

"Grand." - Anyone and everyone.

"Have a few drinks and wobble up the hill." - young boy on train to Dublin (spoken to one of his parents).

"I'd date single dads." - girl on train from Kildare.

"Give him a private lesson, with my mouth!" - same girl on train from Kildare (discussing how to improve the English of an Italian boy in her class).

"You can't trust a man with no teeth, can ya?" - cabbie in Bray.

"What the hell is Rocket Salad?" - man in restaurant on Nassau Street.

"No alcohol, I don't drink." - homeless man in Dublin.

"The Real Map of Ireland" - sign in Maritime Museum (labeling map of Ireland's territory in the north Atlantic, which is three times the size of Germany).

"It'll be f***ing filthy." - young man emerging from stall of a Dublin bar (to no one in particular).

"You are what you read." - motto of the Irish Times (compare with the American "You are what you eat").