Focal an Lae #177
The Word of the Day in Irish
Word: eas (ASS, like the animal) [æs]
Meaning: eas = waterfall, rapids
Usage:
- Eas Rua (ASS ROO-uh) [æs ruə] = Assaroe, Co. Donegal (lit., the red falls or rapids), named after one Aodh Rua, according to ancient name-lore
- ag snámh in aghaidh easa (uh SNAWV uhn EYE ASS-uh) [ə snaːv ən aiː æsə] = swimming against the stream, contending with great obstacles
(lit., at swimming in face of-waterfall)
History: Old Irish “ess” comes from Indo-European *yestu- (foam), from the root *yes- (to boil, foam, bubble).
An English cognate is “yeast”.
Scottish Gaelic: eas