origin of begorrah

[limerick]

im from belfast and was recently in the united states and i cant tell you how many times someone would say,'begorrah', to me as though im supposed to know what that means. does anyone know the meaning of this word and its origins and why it is connected with the irish in america?

[EngTeach]

Don't know the meaning but have seen it novels set in Ireland and is usually part of a phrase. Something like, "Faith and begorrah, did you see that....." I always thought it was like saying Oh my god, or or something similar. If I'm not too lazy, i can look it up.

Will update if I find anything.

[EngTeach]

Ok. I was right. Seems to come from saying "By God" and became begorrah, a sort of slurrring of the two words, and also avoiding taking God's name in vain.

[limerick]

EngTeach

thanks for your answer, and yet i never have heared it said in belfast, so i still find the connection baffling:-)

limerick

[BBWCHATT]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/begorra h

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bego rra

http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0337885.html

[limerick]

the dictionary says its of irish/english origin so i guess ill have to believe it, now tell do they say that in england?

[jno]

only when trying to sound like joke Irishmen. By gosh and by golly are the same things: avoiding saying by God.

[fletcher.5]

they were taking the **** out of you