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Does anyone know the meaning of "The humour is on him now."  My Sligo grandfather used that whenever he thought someone was joking or stretching the truth or "pulling his leg."  Anyone know what it really means?

Thanks for your help.

Larry O'Keefe  (lokeefe@aol.com)

Larryokeefe

Tuesday 8th Aug 2023, 03:39PM

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  • It's a direct translation from the Irish.  In Irish, it would be Tá aoibh [mór] air anois ["There is a [great] humor on him now"], although the word used here for humor, aoibh, might vary from pace to place.  It means that he is in good humor.  That structure is used in many expressions in Irish, especially ones describing emotions or feelings, such as:

    Tá brón orm = "There is sorrow on me" = "I'm sorry"

    Tá ocras mór orm = "There is a great hunger on me" = "I'm very hungry".

    kevin45sfl

    Tuesday 8th Aug 2023, 06:55PM
  • Thank you so much for such a prompt and thorough response.  Much appreciated.

    Larry O'Keefe

    Larryokeefe

    Thursday 10th Aug 2023, 02:34PM

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