's e do bheatha

Scottish Gaelic

Etymology

From Middle Irish dia do betha or dé do betha (with ’s e ‘(it is) he’ substituted for dia reanalyzed as ‘god’), from Old Irish rot·bia do bethu (“you shall have your life”) or rot·bé do bethu (“may you have your life”). Compare Irish Dé do bheatha and is é do bheatha.

Phrase

's e do bheatha

Literally: "it's your life"

1. don't mention it, you're welcome (in response to tapadh leat) (informal and singular)
2. no problem (informal and singular)
3. do as you please (informal and singular)

Synonyms

• 's e ur beatha (formal or plural)

References

• Brian Ó Cuív (1981) “The etymology of Dia do bheatha”, in Celtica, volume 14, pages 27–40