meaning: Must be having Lannigans

Subject: Lannigans
From: roopoo
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 02:42 AM

In the Jug last night someone said that if his grandparents saw a couple having a really good time, (usually in the pub) they said that they "Must be having Lannigans". Nobody knew the origin of this or had heard it before, although the guy did say that there is a bar in Dublin called Lannigan's and wondered if the saying had originated in Ireland.

Any of you lot out there heard it before?

Subject: RE: BS: Lannigans
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 05:32 AM

Probably having a ball (as in Lanagans).

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: Lannigans
From: TerriM
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 11:10 AM

There is an Irish phrase for drunk which is 'Langers'( I can't spell it in the gaelic although I think thats where it originates from); you're phrase could be a corruption of that.

Subject: RE: BS: Lannigans
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 11:18 AM

I dunno', but I see real possibilities for this...as in Joe Smackers and the Lannigan Brothers.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Lannigans
From: Áine
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 11:32 AM

You're right, TerriM, that it comes from the Irish word for a swaying or rocking motion. The word can be spelled langar OR longar. In Irish, you could say:

'Tá sé ina langar (or longar)' - literally translated as 'He is in his swaying'

OR

Tá sé ag a langar (or longar)' - literally translated as 'He is at his swaying (or he's swaying)'

-- Áine