MANX SLANG, USEFUL PHRASES, AND THEIR ENGLISH MEANINGS

Across: The British mainland

Aye: Yes

Bonnag: Flat cake-bread, usually made with dried fruit

Cair vie: Fair winds

Cammag: A Manx team sport, similar to Irish hurling, involving a curved stick and a ball

Comeover: A non-native person living on the Isle

Crosh Bollan: The cross-shaped throat bone of the wrasse fish; it was used as an amulet

Cushag: Ragwort, the national flower of the Isle of Man

Fastyr mie: Good evening

Gura mie ayd: Thank you

Herrin’: Herring, a common Manx food

Keeill: A chapel

Litcheragh: Lazy

Little Fellas: Term for fairies

Longtail: A rat; a term used out of superstition, often on boats

Mark: A fishing ground distinguished by its landmarks

Moghrey mie: Hello or good morning

Middle-World Men: Another term for fairies

Queenies: Queen scallops

Samson: A beverage made of treacle and hops, believed to give a person strength

Scutch: A quantity of something, e.g., There are a scutch of people at the market

Shoh Slaynt: Here’s health; used in place of the American “Cheers”

Snigs: Young eels

Ta’n ennym orrym …: My name is …

Themselves: Fairies or other supernatural beings