gobaloon
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
- Diarmuid Ó Muirthile says[1] it derives from gobbalew, southwest England dialect for a coastguard exciseman, from French gobe-a-l’eau "one who seizes things on water".[2]
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
gobaloon (plural gobaloons)
- (Ireland, slang) an oaf or fool
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:gobaloon.
- (Ireland, slang, rare) a frightening or terrible thing
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:gobaloon.
Adjective edit
gobaloon
- (Ireland, slang, rare) insane, crazy
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:gobaloon.
References edit
- ^ Diarmuid Ó Muirthile "The Words We Use" The Irish Times 21 March 1998
- ^ Joseph Wright, English Dialect Dictionary Vol.2 p.666 (London: Henery Frowde, 1898)