Sir, – I am indebted to my esteemed fellow county man and former confrere, Michael Harding, for clarifying the use of the word “odious” in Co Cavan.
In “The annual ritual of returning to Cavan at Christmas” (Life Culture, December 16th), he writes, “Cavan people tend to have a greater relish for the English language. Old Elizabethan words roll off the tongue with ease – eg that’s an odious horrid bad day – even if it’s only drizzling”.
In my ignorance, I thought the word “ojus” as an adjective, was peculiar to the county. In my defence, I heard what I presumed was the comparative, or maybe even the superlative – wait for it – “high ojus”!
Like Michael Harding, I have spent some considerable time in Leitrim – 20 years in fact. I would agree that Leitrim people are more reticent. The Cavan barman’s “haveral” (referred to in the column), hardly Elizabethan – would come out here as a “shuffler” – much more charitable. – Yours, etc,