Commendatory cursing

[Jonathan Lighter]

"An example or two would aid your presentation greatly." - Pedagogical comment.

  1821 "A Real Paddy" [?Pierce Egan] _Real Life in Ireland_ (rpt. London: Methuen, 1904) 32:
  It is the way of an Irishman, he always conveys his blessing in the form of a curse, and the harder it is the more he loves you.

  JL




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