cleamhair
The Gaelic word for clown is cleamhair.
This noun refers to a performance artist who works in a circus.
Meaning: performance artist working in a circus (noun)
Did you know?
- The word cleamhair is traditionally more linked to the concept of a 'fool' or 'jester' in folklore than the modern, painted circus performer seen in English.
- The spelling of cleamhair follows specific phonetic rules in Irish Gaelic that differ from the Scottish Gaelic spelling of similar sounds.
- Using the word to describe a person's character can sometimes carry a slightly mocking or derogatory tone, depending on the inflection used.
Example conversation
Mairead and Hamish are at the circus.
- MaireadSeall air an cleamhair sin, a Hamish!Look at that clown, Hamish!
- HamishTha e guseach a whileba.He is very funny.
- MaireadIs e an cleamhair as fheàrr a chunnaic mi.He is the best clown I have seen.
- HamishTha mi ag aisiginn an t-uile.I am laughing at everything.
