Sir, – Further to recent correspondence (Letters, February 5th) on Frank McNally's Irishman's Diary (February 3rd), growing up in Scotland, "heid the baw" was used much like "yerman" is used in Ireland. On the other hand, a "heid banger" was a person with aggressive tendencies. – Yours, etc,
MARY MAGUIRE,
Lusk,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, – Perhaps it is because the specific vegetation is so abundant in the west of Ireland, but I have heard persons of a certain rickety disposition being referred to as a “heatherball”. The reference is always conciliatory rather than reproachful, showing the subtlety of the term was retained, and only the actual wording of “head the ball” got lost in translation as it crossed the country.– Yours, etc,
KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – When growing up in Creggan in Derry, the colloquial phrase was “head the walls”. – Is mise,
MICHAEL NASH,
Dublin 18.