Is minic Gall maith

Càil sam bith eile / Anything else
Nicholas1
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Is minic Gall maith

Unread post by Nicholas1 »

I'm told that the literal meaning of this expression in Irish is "foreigners often good".

According to Patrick O'Brian's book "Desolation Island" it could mean "There is good to be found even in an Englishman".

How would you say this in Gàidhlig?

(Assuming you wanted to, of course - Patrick O'Brian's character comments that in Irish this expression is "not often used, however"!)

Nicholas


GunChleoc
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Is minic Gall maith

Unread post by GunChleoc »

I guess "Tha Goill math gu tric" would work.

Note that to refer to Englishmen, one would say "Sasannaich" - "Gall" generally means Lowlander nowadays. Strangers/Foreigners are "coigrich".
Oileanach chànan chuthachail
Na dealbhan agam
Nicholas1
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Is minic Gall maith

Unread post by Nicholas1 »

Thank you!
Any more thoughts from the forum? I wondered if there is any similar expression already established in Gàidhlig.
Nicholas
akerbeltz
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Is minic Gall maith

Unread post by akerbeltz »

Is minig X does occur in Gaelic proverbs (with g instead of c) but I'm not aware of one that goes Is minig Gall math.
Nicholas1
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Is minic Gall maith

Unread post by Nicholas1 »

Thanks again!
Nicholas
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