Sir, – In the lexicon of life in Kilfenora in the 1970s, the following were some of the lesser insults: 161. Gom. 162. Brom. 163. Buddach. 164. Latchico. 165. Noodie-Nadie. 166. Carrahan. 167. Glugger. 168. Lubber. 169. Bostoon. 170. Routaile. 171. Plike. 172. Cracaile. 173. Stroil. 174. Molly. 175. Oinseach. 176. Libe. Oh and the ultimate put down? 177. To have a face like the letter Zed!
Insults were hurled rather than written, so spelling is (hopefully) contentious and readers should feel free to pepper and salt with the occasional sheibhu and sina fadda to suit personal taste! – Is mise,
Sir, – 178. He’d hang his mother for a stripe. (Of an officious policeman). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Heard often in Belfast when growing up in the 1960s: 179. He has a face on him like a Lurgan spade. (A dour person). 180. He wouldn’t walk the length of himself. (A lazy person). 181. He’d steal the eye out of your head and come back and play marlies (marbles) in the hole. (A brazen person). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 182. Nice haircut, it’ll be lovely when it’s finished. 183. You have Van Gogh’s ear for music. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 184. The weight suits ye! – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 185. He’d read Mass if he had the book. – Yours, etc,