Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Whiskey. The term is analogous to uisge beatha (the water of life). 'A drop of the craythur' is a popular if old expression.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He addle liddle phifie Annie ugged the little craythur.

    Finnegans Wake 2006

  • Amongst these few, I am sorry to say, Corporal Macan distinguished himself, falling a victim to his "ould complaint," by coming aboard on the second day after our arrival in a state of glorious intoxication, despite his solemn promise to Dr Nettleby, through whom the commander had given him permission to land, that he "wouldn't touch a dhrop ov the craythur, not if Ould Nick axed him."

    Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • "I tould yez, sor, I wouldn't touch a dhrop ov the craythur, maynin 'whisky, sure," he said, with a miserable attempt at a grin; for he felt very much humiliated at losing his stripes, Macan sober being quite a different man to Macan drunk.

    Crown and Anchor Under the Pen'ant John B. [Illustrator] Greene

  • Old Mrs. Flaherty declared, amid her giggles, that "the two eyes av the craythur fairly give her a turn," and when asked to explain she pointed to the gongs at the top of the apparatus.

    Joyce's Investments A Story for Girls Fannie E. Newberry

  • Even Mrs. Rooney, who thought that her boy was "the sweetest craythur the cun shines on," preferred to hear him called "Handy Andy" rather than

    The World's Greatest Books — Volume 06 — Fiction Various 1909

  • "It amuses the craythur to pritind he's doing things," he would say, as he watched Dick delving in the earth to make a little oven -- Island-fashion -- for the cooking of fish or what-not.

    The Blue Lagoon: a romance 1907

  • "Uncle Charles, a dhrop of the craythur a wee dhrop of the craythur?"

    The Country House John Galsworthy 1900

  • "Uncle Charles, a dhrop of the craythur a wee dhrop of the craythur?"

    Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works John Galsworthy 1900

  • "Sure she will," cried the Irish woman; "come in here, you poor, spiritless craythur."

    The Foreigner A Tale of Saskatchewan Ralph Connor 1898

  • An 'Mickie's eyes are bright -- the craythur there

    Old Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poems Isabella Valancy Crawford 1868

Comments

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  • Tim Finnegan lived in Walkin' Street,

    A gentleman Irish mighty odd;

    He had a brogue both rich and sweet,

    And to rise in the world he carried a hod.

    Now Tim had a sort of a tipplin' way,

    With a love of the whiskey he was born,

    And to help him on with his work each day,

    He'd a drop of the craythur every morn.

    Chorus:

    Whack fol the dah O, dance to your partner,

    Welt the floor, your trotters shake;

    Wasn't it the truth I told you,

    Lots of fun at Finnegan's wake!

    - traditional, 'Finnegan's Wake'.

    December 11, 2008

  • "craythur" is a kind of amber word, in that it invariably appears in the phrase "a drop of the craythur".

    December 11, 2008

  • Whiskey only or any strong drink?

    December 11, 2008

  • Any strong drink, but the default is likely to be whiskey or poteen.

    December 11, 2008