The word Slaintѐ has been used in America numerously as an equivalent of the English word Cheers. Known to many, the word is of Irish origin and is used when giving a toast.
It is derived from the word slan which means whole, healthy and therefore in its basic form; it means health. However, it is usually combined with the word mhaith which is conjured from the word maith— which means good. Therefore, slaintѐ mhaith means ‘good health’.
One should respond do dheagh shlaintѐ to mean ‘your good health’. Apart from making a toast, the word can also be used in other variations. For example, air do shlainte to mean ‘on your health’.
This is followed by the response slaintѐ agad-sa which means ‘health at yourself’.
Another variation is slaintѐ mhor which has an interesting meaning in the Jacobites. The toast references to Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Colluden in 1746.
After he fled to Raasay, Charles obtained the code name, Marion. Hence the toast is to Charlie’s health.
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Pronunciation
The word is pronounced as [SLAHN-chə] where the t is silent. It should sound like slawn-che. When you add wealth to the word to say health and wealth it would become slaintѐ is taintѐ pronounced as slawn-che iss toin-che.
Is slaintѐ Irish or Scottish
Well, the word is commonly used in Ireland and Scotland when making a toast. It is therefore used in both countries.
The pronunciation does not vary; neither does the meaning.
Although the use of the word has now caught up with Americans, it seems the use is reducing worldwide. According to the Collins dictionary, the word was in use since 1832. Between 1832 and 1891, the use was oscillating and seemed to have caught on in 1850s.
It then seems that the use of the word reduced until 1950 when it reached its peak.
However, after that, the use of the word reduced. Other words like Salu of French origin have taken over and become more familiar than Slaintѐ.
Most of the people who use Slaintѐ are either from Ireland, Scotland or have lived in one of the two countries for one reason or another.
Different ways to say cheers in Irish
Apart from the two ways we mentioned in the introduction, you can also say slaintѐ chugat which is a personal form of cheers.
Chugat is pronounced hoo-ut.
The two words mean health to you. For many people, you can replace chugat with chugaibh pronounced hoo-uv. If you’re out having drinks with a group of friends, you can use the longer variation of the word.
This one is both personal and includes a large group of people during the toast. Sláintѐ na bhfear agus go maire na mná go deo!
This is pronounced as slawn-cha na var agus guh mara na m-naw guh djeo. The phrase loosely translates to “Health to the men and may the women live forever.”
So next time you go out for a drink or have the opportunity to lead a toast, try any of these phrases to spice up the moment.
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