Jackeen

Jackeen is a mildly pejorative term for someone from Dublin, Ireland. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as "A contemptuous designation for a self-assertive worthless fellow," citing the earliest documented use from the year 1840.[1]

Derivation and meaning

The term is derived from a nickname for John (i.e. Jack)from the Union Jack (As Dubliners were considered the most English of all the Irish) combined with the Irish diminutive suffix "-een" (meaning little) [1] (-ín in Irish) found in many Irish female names such as Roisín ("little Rose") and Maureen (Mairín, "little Mary"). Today, Jackeen is often used to describe Dublin GAA players and supporters.[2][3] The term has also been shortened to "Jack" or the plural "Jacks" by Dublin fans as a way to refer to themselves.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Simpson, John; Weiner, Edmund (1989). "Oxford English Dictionary, second edition". Oxford: Clarendon Press. http://www.oed.com. "Irish dim. of JACK n.: A contemptuous designation for a self-assertive worthless fellow." 
  2. ^ "The Jacks are back". http://archives.tcm.ie/roscommonherald/2005/07/20/story1647.asp. Retrieved 2007-01-25. 
  3. ^ "Reeling in the years". http://www.rte.ie/tv/reelingintheyears/1976.html. Retrieved 2007-01-25. 
  4. ^ Worthwhile Stereotypes, Templates and Routines?
  5. ^ Dublin Slang Dictionary and Phrase-book