Focal an Lae #76
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: tóin (TOH-ihn)
Meaning: tóin = backside, bottom, rump
Usage:
- Bhí sé ina shuí ar a thóin. (VEE SHAY ih-nuh HEE ehr uh HOH-ihn) = He was sitting on his behind (doing nothing).
- ar thóin na farraige (ehr HOH-ihn nuh FAH-rihg-yuh) = on the bottom of the sea
- Thit an tóin as an spéir. (HITCH uh TOH-ihn ahs uh SPAYR) = There was a downpour. (lit., the bottom fell out of the sky)
History: Old Irish “tón” comes from Common Celtic *tūknā(?) (compare Welsh “tin” (rump, rectum)),
which derives from Indo-European *teuk-, an extended form of the root *teu- (to swell, be fat).
English words derived from this root include “thigh”, “thumb” and “tuber”.
Scottish Gaelic: tòn