A new book, Langers & Lashes: A Compendium of Cork Slang, has been published, offering a unique insight into the language and culture of Cork, Ireland's second city. Authored by Des MacHale, the book is a comprehensive collection of the city's colloquial vernacular, which is known for being rich and often crude. MacHale, an 80-year-old academic from County Mayo, has spent 55 years living in Cork and has drawn on his experiences, as well as conversations with locals, to compile the list of over 100 words and phrases.
The book includes terms such as 'langer', which can mean idiot, drunkenness, or penis, depending on the context, and 'lash', which refers to an attractive woman. Other terms include 'all-a-bah', a warning given when someone is about to vomit, and 'balls of the cabbage', which describes Brussels sprouts. MacHale has also included explanatory notes to highlight historical context and outdated social views, aiming to encourage contemporary speakers to embrace the city's wit while rejecting harmful stereotypes.
The publisher, Mercier, has stated that inclusion of these terms does not imply endorsement and that they aim to encourage contemporary speakers to reject harmful stereotypes. MacHale's book is a fascinating glimpse into the language and culture of Cork, and is likely to appeal to anyone interested in language, culture, and local history.