Friday 11 February 2011

17

Warning: Not Suitable for Work. Unless you work in Belfast, then it *might* be.

F That detail

Friend Sarah and I are off to Belfast tomorrow to visit the jointly-cherished Ruth. I have it on good authority that it's rude to visit a friend's new house without bringing a house-warming gift. Especially if the house is no longer new because you have been remiss in visiting. For two years. Better late than never, right? But what to bring...

F That censored

I was first pointed in the direction of a slightly vulgar wall hanging by Millie, and I came so close to buying the one she has that says 'Feck It, Sure It's Grand' in the style of Keep Calm and Carry On. I wavered though, because that's just not Ruth. But what is? This:

F That full

Oh, how I laughed and laughed and laughed the first time I heard her say this. When googling it's entymology, apparently it's a Belfast thing. Have you ever heard a better phrase? Here's a tip from me to you: If you're having such a bad week that having a smear was one of the highlights, do something like this. I stayed up late on Wednesday, printing it over and over in different fonts. The only disappointment was that Steven never asked what they were for, because I was going to tell him I was going leafleting. Unfortunately, I can't have such joys in my house with an (almost) literate son. I told him it said, 'Welcome to Our House'.

17 comments:

  1. Matt never asked what I was doing when I was typing up swear words to make badges with. When he saw the badges he just stared bemusedly at them and shook his head. I think I am funny anyway. And though I have no clue about Belfast slang that is still effing fantastic.



    damn snooping child over my shoulder.

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  2. Class! I'm sure she'll be made up.

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  3. As an ignorant Hoosier, I wonder if someone could share an example of how this would be used in conversation. I just want to make sure I don't embarrass myself in Belfast someday.

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  4. Brilliant! I think it could be a family heirloom in the making...

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  5. LOVE

    I want one

    and I don't care if my kids can read it

    they've heard me say worse ;)

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  6. Love. It.

    I am, again, in awe of your creativity :)

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  7. My mum says that, well she says 'sod that for a game of soldiers', and I don't think she's ever so much as set foot in Northern Ireland. I'm trying to think when she would use it. Maybe in a scenario such as being in a long queue (e.g. to pay for something), waiting for ages and ages going nowhere, and getting very annoyed, putting down whatever she was wishing to pay for with a flourish and flouncing out of the shop muttering 'sod this for a game of soldiers, (I'll get something out of the freezer)'.

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  8. Glad I wasn't drinking anything because I would have sprayed my screen at your leafleting comment.

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  9. We have always used the phrase sod that for a game of soldiers but I like this version better! x

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  10. That is damn cool.

    I've used this and "fuck this for a bag of biscuits", which makes even less sense but sounds as good, if not better.

    Indy, it's a way of giving up on something because it's rubbish and just not worth doing, rather than because you're failing or whatever. Giving up in disgust, sort of thing.

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  11. That is fantastic! I am from outside belfast and would use this saying when I am fed up with trying to do sonmething or someone has asked me to do a ridiculous job or something.

    Say for example I am trying to edit a photo and it goes wrong rather than say I have had enough this is much more satisfing!

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  12. This has travelled well beyond Belfast. Been saying it in Manchester for 30 years.
    Nice post!

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  13. I spewed my tea all over my laptop screen for laughing! Have a great time in Belfast.

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  14. Had no idea it was from Belfast. I've been saying well sod this for a game of soldiers for years... or bugger this for a game of soldiers more like:)

    Lovely piece of work too:)

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  15. Brilliant! I love it so much! It is a regularly used phrase here. Sadly, I have literate children and had to tell them that Feck was not a bad word, but they still couldn't use it!
    (I just read that back...I am not sad to have literate children! they are 6 and 8 after all!)
    Have a wonderful time in Belfast!

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  16. Love that saying, mind you I'm in Ards now but I still trot it out when the occasion calls for it. Sadly the small person can read better than she lets on so i couldn't have it at home:)

    Any game will do too, it doesn't have to be soldiers, I've even said Fuck that for a packet of crackers which is even worse than the bag of biscuits:)

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  17. Oh I LOVE this! Sometimes, there's just nothing more satisfying than swearing! And you've made swearing look pretty - great job :)

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