Focal an Lae #61
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: laoch (LEE-uhx or LAY-uhx)
Meaning: laoch = hero, warrior
Usage: By now half the world and her mother have heard Sting’s bold attempt, on “The Long Black Veil” album, to pronounce the line:
- ’Se mo laoch mo ghile [= ghiolla] mear (He’s my hero, my lively lad)
History: Old Irish “láech” (layman; soldier) was borrowed from Late Latin “laicus” (lay, non-clerical),
from Greek “laikos”, an adjective derived from “laos” (the people).
English cognates include “lay” and “laicize”.
Scottish Gaelic: laoch