gunna gráin
In Irish, the English phrase 'shotgun' (referring to the front passenger seat of a vehicle) is gunna gráin.
This term is used to denote the front seat next to the driver in a car.
Meaning: front seat next to driver (noun)
Did you know?
- While the term sounds related to firearms, the word gráin actually comes from an Old Irish word meaning 'disgust' or 'loathing'.
- The term gunna gráin is a linguistic hybrid, combining a word borrowed from English with a word from Old Irish.
- In Irish, the word gráin is a cognate of the Scottish Gaelic word 'gràin', showing a shared Celtic root.
Example conversation
Niamh and Cathal are heading to the car.
- NiamhGunna gráin dom!Shotgun for me!
- CathalBhí tú beagán mall, a Niamh.You were a bit slow, Niamh.
- NiamhAch tá mé sa gunna gráin anois.But I'm in the shotgun seat now.
- CathalCeart go leor, a Niamh.All right, Niamh.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gráin, gunna, CC BY-SA 4.0.
