Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:
Bean tí
Also "beantigh" (housewife) and "bean an tí" meaning "woman of the house", "herself", and in Kerry "landlady".
With the rise of Irish language education in the Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking areas of Ireland, it has come to refer to a landlady who takes in students who wish to learn Irish in a family setting, providing lodging and meals as well as education.
And a historic note: until the 1950s, in some parts of Ireland, on St Brigid's day the "Bean an Tí" would pass the Brigid's cross around her body three times in front of the house. She would then walk around the house three times. Then the cross would be welcomed into the front door by the family and hung over the kitchen door, becoming the heart of the house.
In other areas of Ireland on the eve of St. Brigid’s day, January 31st, the "Bean an Tí" would call to the front door. Representing Brigid and spring, she would knock, holding fresh green reeds in her arm. The family waiting in the darkened house inside, would open the door and welcome "Brigid" and the coming spring into the home, representing the changing of the season.
Fionnbharr