There’s some terminology in The Beauty Queen of Leenane that might sound a bit, well, foreign to your U.S. American ears. But fear not! We’ve compiled a list of vocabulary to help you navigate McDonagh’s script with ease. No need to smutter—peruse this post a few times and you’ll be ready for your next cèilidh in just a biteen.
ARSE
verb
to be silly, act stupid, or mess around
verb
to be silly, act stupid, or mess around
BABBY
noun
Irish variant of “baby”
DOOLALLY
adjective
temporarily deranged or feebleminded
PEAHEN
noun
a female peafowl, having drabber colors and a shorter tail than the male peacock
SKIVVY
noun
a servant, often female, who does menial work of all kinds; a drudge
noun
Irish variant of “baby”
BITEEN
noun
a small piece, part, or quantity of something
CÈILIDH
noun
a traditional Irish social visit, often involving folk music and dancing
noun
a small piece, part, or quantity of something
CÈILIDH
noun
a traditional Irish social visit, often involving folk music and dancing
CHIP-PAN
noun
a deep-sided cooking pan used for deep-frying
noun
a deep-sided cooking pan used for deep-frying
COMPLAN
trademark
brand name for a powdered-milk-based, nutrient-rich protein drink
trademark
brand name for a powdered-milk-based, nutrient-rich protein drink
DOOLALLY
adjective
temporarily deranged or feebleminded
EEJ
noun
shortened version of “eejit” (irish slang for “idiot”), often used affectionately
FECK
verb, noun, interjection
Irish variant of “fuck”
noun
shortened version of “eejit” (irish slang for “idiot”), often used affectionately
FECK
verb, noun, interjection
Irish variant of “fuck”
GANGERMAN
noun
an individual who supervises labour crews on a construction site and reports to the foreman
noun
an individual who supervises labour crews on a construction site and reports to the foreman
GASÚ
noun
Irish variant of “boy”
noun
Irish variant of “boy”
KIMBERLEY
trademark
a popular brand of Irish biscuit (or cookie, to North Americans)
trademark
a popular brand of Irish biscuit (or cookie, to North Americans)
MIKADO
trademark
a brand of soft biscuit topped with pink mallow and raspberry-flavored jam, sprinkled with coconut
OUL
adjective
Irish variant of “old”
trademark
a brand of soft biscuit topped with pink mallow and raspberry-flavored jam, sprinkled with coconut
OUL
adjective
Irish variant of “old”
PARAFFIN LAMP
noun
a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as fuel
PAT-BALL
noun
a non-contact, competitive ball game played in many forms using one's hands or head to hit the ball against a wall
noun
a type of lighting device that uses kerosene as fuel
PAT-BALL
noun
a non-contact, competitive ball game played in many forms using one's hands or head to hit the ball against a wall
PEAHEN
noun
a female peafowl, having drabber colors and a shorter tail than the male peacock
POOF
noun
derogatory variant of “homosexual”
noun
derogatory variant of “homosexual”
PRAITIES
noun
potatoes
RAKE
noun
a bunch
SKITTER
noun
diarrhea
noun
potatoes
RAKE
noun
a bunch
SKITTER
noun
diarrhea
SKIVVY
noun
a servant, often female, who does menial work of all kinds; a drudge
SMUTTERING
noun
a profane statement uttered under one's breath
noun
a profane statement uttered under one's breath
STILE
noun
a series of steps or rungs by means of which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle
noun
a series of steps or rungs by means of which a person may pass over a wall or fence that remains a barrier to sheep or cattle
TAYTOS
trademark
an Irish brand of potato crisps
TINKER
noun
a person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils as a way of making a living
WINE GUMS
noun
chewy, firm pastille-type sweets; similar to gumdrops but without the sugar coating
Druid's The Beauty Queen of Leenane plays the BAM Harvey Theater through Sunday, February 5, and great tickets are still available.
trademark
an Irish brand of potato crisps
TINKER
noun
a person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils as a way of making a living
WINE GUMS
noun
chewy, firm pastille-type sweets; similar to gumdrops but without the sugar coating
Druid's The Beauty Queen of Leenane plays the BAM Harvey Theater through Sunday, February 5, and great tickets are still available.