Focal an Lae #57

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The Word of the Day in Irish

Word: ach (AHX)

Meaning: ach = but, except

Usage:

• mór ach lag (MOHR ahx LAHG) = big but weak
• Ní ólann sé ach uisce. (NEE OH-luhn shay ahx ISH-kyuh) = He drinks only water. (lit., he drinks but water)
• Níl ach cúpla punt agam. (NEEL ahx KOOP-luh POONT AH-guhm; first OO as in “moon”, second OO as in “book”) = I only have a few pounds. (lit., is-not but couple pound at-me)

History: Old Irish “acht” comes from Common Celtic *ektos. Other words that derive from this are Old Irish “echtar” (outside) and Welsh “eithr” (but, except). The ultimate ancestor is the reconstructed Indo-European word *eghs (out). English cognates, by way of Latin, are “extra” and “exterior”.

Scottish Gaelic: ach