Tma02 U214 Parts 1 and 2

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TMA02 Part 1 TMA02 'How's the craic?' My phrase is ‘How's the craic?’ It is a greeting between friends and acquaintances. A genuine enquiry from the speaker to get the conversation going. In answer to this question the recipient is expected to tell all their news and gossip. It also incorporates ‘how are you doing?’, how is the family and full response is usually given. It is essentially accepted as an Irish greeting and said with a smile. ‘Craic’ is an Irish word for fun, enjoyment, general banter and good times that has been brought into the English language. The ‘craic’ usually involves alcohol and/or music. and was popularised by the Irish-language chat show SBB ina Shuí, broadcast on RTÉ from 1976 to 1982. (Wikipedia, 2008 online). Context When I hosted my nephew’s 21st birthday party at my house in England in 2005 he arrived from Ireland a few days prior to his parents and the rest of his family and friends for the celebration. The next day my neighbour knocked on my door and asked if I had a young man staying with me, I explained who Daniel was. The neighbour was very upset and angry because apparently Daniel had been talking to his children about drugs. I was astonished and sceptical that he had his facts right. On further investigation it turned out that Dan had asked his children ‘how’s the crack?’ or ‘craic’ as spelled in Ireland. He was asking how things were with them and the world in general. After explaining this to my neighbour I admit we did laugh at his expense and no doubt he heard this story repeated all afternoon in the garden as it entertained the guests. He was always complaining about something and so I didn’t worry too much about his embarrassment. Not very neighbourly of me I know but he verged on ‘the neighbour from hell’. So, although Ireland is a short hop away from the English Midlands, it would appear we don’t always
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