Glossary: L

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Labour Party

The oldest party in the State. Similar to its British cousin in its right-on middle-class power base, but not nearly as polished. The third largest party, it has a habit of doing well in one election, only to join forces with its political enemies in coalition governments, an act which angers its electorate and ensures a humiliating defeat in the next election. Recently merged with the far more radical left-wing party Democratic Left, a union that has left many in both parties unhappy.

Penis, stupid person. Popular term down Cork way.

Langered, langers

Lash

An attractive man or woman.

Example: "That sister of yours is a right lash."

See also ride, sense 3.

Leaving Cert(ificate)

The final state examination taken by an Irish student before going onto third-level education or going on the scratcher. The Leaving Cert is intimately linked with the points system.

By law, an Irish person is allowed to buy and consume alcohol in a public house or off licence when they are 18 years old. However, pubs reserve the right to refuse admission and over-21 and over-23 pubs are not uncommon.

A county in the north-west of Ireland, Leitrim holds the unfortunate record of having the largest percentage of its population in psychiatric care. The mere mention of Leitrim in a Dublin pub is usually good for a snigger or two.

Supernatural being from Irish folklore taking the form of a tiny old shoemaker for reasons not exactly clear. Malicious and mischievous, fond of playing tricks on mortals, a leprechaun can be forced to disclose the location of hidden treasure if caught-- a difficult task, as the folklore credits them with the skill of teleportation. Many gullible Americans journey to Ireland every year in the hope of seeing a leprechaun. Luckily for them, there are many fine shops in Dublin where they can purchase guaranteed-not-to-teleport leprechaun dolls made to a traditional recipe in such renowned Irish strongholds as Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Derogatory term for any Irish person willing to caper around in a stage-Irish manner for the amusement of foreigners. See Oirish.

City on the south-east coast of Ireland on the estuary of the Shannon river. The city developed something of a rough reputation in the eighties, when the number of violent incidents involving knives lead to it being nicknamed `Stab City'.

Someone who believes in preserving the cultural and political links between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and who is willing to use force in the fight to preserve these links. A Unionist, on the hand, is someone committed to preserving said links by less violent means. Loyalists and Unionists are mainly of the Protestant tradition. Compare Nationalist, Republican.

© 2003 BeerAndLoathing