achyfi (addendum)

[Douglas G. Wilson]

A kind and erudite Welsh-speaking colleague in the UK has enlightened me
further on "ach y fi".

He states that it is a Welsh colloquial expression, found in various forms:
'achyfi', 'ychyfi', 'ych y fi', ....

He likens the 'ych' part to the English "ugh" or "yuk". Apparently this is
recognizable alone in Welsh.

He states that 'y fi' = "me, myself", and adds "the composite interjection
has strong personal, immediate, and filth-related overtones. ... 'ych y fi'
is the sort of expression used in
scolding a child for dirty hands, or upon stepping in something really
rather unpleasant."

-- Doug Wilson