The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook - City Of Culture Edition

A guide to Derry-Londonderry lingo gets revised and updated to coincide with the 2013 celebrations. Read and hear all about it

The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook is a rib-tickling cross-section of the many colourful words, sayings and expressions to be heard in the Derry area, all captured lovingly by social historian, musician, songwriter and proud Derryman Seamus McConnell, who sadly passed away in 2010.

A new revised and updated edition is to be launched this week as "the definitive compilation of the wit and wisdom of generations of Derry wans" in the City Of Culture, presented in a lavishly illustrated book for all to share and enjoy.


In the original foreword to the last edition, Seamus McConnell wrote:

"About 1981, because of my general interest in the history of Derry and its people, I got the idea to jot down some of the very humorous sayings unique to our city.

"As time went on, I began to take seriously the idea of compiling some sort of 'dictionary' of Derry words and phrases, with the vague hope of having it published some day. So around 1984, I got down to some serious research: eavesdropping on people's conversations, skulking around crowded places like supermarkets and football matches, notebook at the ready, picking up phrases here and there (wakes turned out to be a rich source of material). Talk of the Town, first published in 1989, was the end result of all that nosing around.

"For a while I believed that I had published the cream of local expressions, but I kept hearing more and more. One day I was sitting in a local café and I couldn't help but overhear two ladies 'discussing' a neighbour's little boy and because it sounded so funny I decided there and then that a second book was a must. So The Folly Up was published in November 1990.

"That had to be it, I thought at the time. But there was still so much out there, I couldn't help writing it all down. Collecting local patois had become almost an obsession. Every time I left the house, I found myself seeking out more. I wanted to produce a definitive 'Derry Dictionary' – The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook – the complete collection of Derry’s very own words, phrases and linguistic peculiarities. Except, of course, for those held back for the special millennium edition in 2000."

Here's additional input from McConnell's brother, Hugo, and daughter, Rachael:

"...Or that's what we believe Seamus would be saying if he was still with us. He never did lose that obsession of eariwiggin' on people's conversations. And if he'd been around to welcome the inaugural City of Culture 2013, along with the rest of us Derry wans, he would have considered it his civic duty to ensure that all visitors to our great city would have an updated, ultimate (plus one), definitive (perhaps) Wile Big Derry Phrasebook. 'Cos that's just the sorta person Seamus wuz.
           
"A naturally modest and quiet man (well, in comparison to the rest of the McConnells anyway), few are aware of the wealth of talent possessed by Mr Seamus McConnell. Not only was Seamus a prolific writer (much of his work never seen by the public eye), he was first and foremost a very gifted musician and featured heavily on the music scene in Ireland and beyond, from Showbands to Blues, from Skiffle to Jazz, from the 1950s through to the 1980s.

"Slowing down in his, dare we say it, more mature years, concentrating more on recording, arranging and producing, he amassed an extensive back catalogue of songs and instrumentals across all genres, again most of which has never been heard by the public ear. Indeed, one of his secret ambitions was to have some of his music used in soundtracks on the big screen. He left behind a formidable legacy, a lifetime's work.

"We feel that this legacy should be preserved and made available for all to enjoy. So with this in mind a website, www.seamusmcconnell.com, archiving Seamus's work, is planned. In the meantime, however, a small sample of his music and both published and non-published works can be enjoyed at www.springtowncamp.com.
           
"We sincerely hope you enjoy this book and it gives you as much laughter reading it as Seamus had writing it and as we had updating it. On behalf of Seamus, we would like to thank the people of Derry who were the main contributors to this book.

"So put a bush in thon gap, get a wee sope in yur han' and enjoy!"

The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook - City Of Culture Edition will be launched on Thursday August 1 at 7 pm in Derry-Londonderry's Central Library. Published by Guildhall Press, the book is available from all good bookshops, and direct, from www.ghpress.com.