Focal an Lae #125
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: colg (KOL-uhg) [koləg]
Meaning: colg = sword (literary meaning); blade; bristle; anger
Usage:
- Tá colg uirthi. (TAW KOL-uhg EHR-hih) [taː coləg erhi] = She is in a rage. (lit., is bristle on-her)
- Tá colg ar an ngaoth. (TAW KOL-uhg ehr uhng WEE) [taː koləg er′ ə ŋviː] = The wind has a bitter edge to it. (lit., is blade on the wind)
- chomh colgach le gráinneog = as prickly as a hedgehog
History: Middle Irish “colg”, Welsh “col” (awn; sting), Welsh “cal(a)” (penis) and Breton “kalc’h” (penis)
come from Indo-European *kel-g(h)-, from the root *kel- (to prick).
This root also gives us the English “holly” (prickly leaves) and the Irish and Welsh words for the same plant, “cuileann” and “celyn” respectively.
Scottish Gaelic: calg