Does anyone know the meaning of "The humour is on him now." My Sligo grandfather used that whenever he thought someone was joking or stretching the truth or "pulling his leg." Anyone know what it really means?
Thanks for your help.
Larry O'Keefe (lokeefe@aol.com)
It's a direct translation from the Irish. In Irish, it would be Tá aoibh [mór] air anois ["There is a [great] humor on him now"], although the word used here for humor, aoibh, might vary from pace to place. It means that he is in good humor. That structure is used in many expressions in Irish, especially ones describing emotions or feelings, such as:
Tá brón orm = "There is sorrow on me" = "I'm sorry"
Tá ocras mór orm = "There is a great hunger on me" = "I'm very hungry".
Thank you so much for such a prompt and thorough response. Much appreciated.
Larry O'Keefe