Page:English as we speak it in Ireland - Joyce.djvu/349

 tree itself has been cut or blown down. (Simmons: Armagh.) Irish staic, a stake, with the diminutive.


 * Stad; the same as sthallk, which see.


 * Stag; a potato rendered worthless or bad by frost or decay.


 * Stag; a cold-hearted unfeeling selfish woman.


 * Stag; an informer, who turns round and betrays his comrades:—'The two worst informers against a private [pottheen] distiller, barring a stag, are a smoke by day and a fire by night.' (Carleton in 'Ir. Pen. Journ.') 'Do you think me a stag, that I'd inform on you.' (Ibid.)


 * Staggeen [the t sounded like th in thank], a worn-out worthless old horse.


 * Stand to or by a person, to act as his friend; to stand for an infant, to be his sponsor in baptism. The people hardly ever say, 'I'm his godfather,' but 'I stood for him.'


 * Stare; the usual name for a starling (bird) in Ireland.


 * Station. The celebration of Mass with confessions and Holy Communion in a private house by the parish priest or one of his curates, for the convenience of the family and their neighbours, to enable them the more easily to receive the sacraments. Latterly the custom has been falling into disuse.


 * Staukan-vorraga [t sounded like th in thorn], a small high rick of turf in a market from which portions were continually sold away and as continually replaced: so that the sthauca stood always in the people's way. Applied also to a big awkward fellow always visiting when he's not wanted, and