defining the indefinable

[waider]

So in response to Nat's query as to what "craic" is, I came up with this:

The intangible Irish party spirit. It's one of these multipurpose words that doesn't have an easily nailed-down meaning; "how's the craic?" is a general greeting, "what's the craic?" is a sort of "what's going on here?", the slightly more specific "what's the craic with yer man?" equates to "what's wrong with him?", "it was great craic" is sort of "it was great fun", and there's the completely incomprehensible "the craic was ninety" which, somehow, means that it was totally the best atmosphere ever. Oh, and doing something "for the/a craic" means doing it for fun, or without any serious intention at least. "Let's try the karaoke for the craic!"

I hope this clears things up.

Comments

[justjenine.livejournal.com]

i'm not sure why nat would ask about the definition of craic, since i distinctly remember being told at the guinness brewery in dublin that craic was the fine fine conversation you experience at the pub, gossip or story-telling. sometimes with singing thrown in. i guess he must have forgotten that bit. i think i remember it because he brought home a hat from the brewery that says "craic and guinness."

Karaoke?

[waidesworld.livejournal.com]

Nobody in Irish History has ever said "Let's try the karaoke for the craic!" unless of course it was Daniel O' Connell.

Re: Karaoke?

[waider.livejournal.com]

Yes you have, and I was on stage beside you.

Re: Karaoke?

[waidesworld.livejournal.com]

I did not use the word craic. On mature recollection I most likely would have said, fuck it let's try karaoke while we are waiting for our next Guinness to settle.