My mother and maternal grandmother used 'footering' a lot (and yes, my granny was also from Donegal and it had a tinge of 'foothering' as she pronounced it). It had exactly that meaning of doing something that wasn't really worth while, and as you say being accused of footering wouldn't exactly be a rebuke, but there would be a sense that you'd be better off doing something more useful or focused. In fact often it was used to chastise themselves rather than other people, or to explain than what they were doing coud easily be dropped of someone asked them to do something else. I like your analysis of Irish society's expectation that women will always be doing something... especially strong in the Presbyterian community I was brought up in.
Thanks so much Clare. Lovely to hear your reflections and how footering showed up and was used in your family. When you spoke about how the women in your family would nearly use it more often to rebuke themselves I was flooded with memories of how my Granny did the same! She was also from a Presbyterian background and I think that emphasis on always being 'at something useful' was very strong in her too
I lived in England for most of my adult life after a Belfast childhood and university in Scotland ... there are so many useful words in Northern Irish and Scottish conversation that have no English equivalent. 'Thole' is another that I would use if only more of my current family and friends understood it ... and it sums up an attitude of Presbyterian Ulster life too ... I was brought up to 'thole' things I didn't like but couldn't change, from pain at the dentist's to an uncomfortable seat in a car to unpalatable food served by a relative who wasn't a good cook.
I've never heard the word 'Thole' before. But what a fantastic word! I can say that many of the women I've interviewed for this project have been expected to 'Thole'. Would it be akin to the sentiment of 'just get on with it'?
Perfect reading for a Sunday when I'm footering around. As a single,38 Yr old Irish gal (I should say woman, shouldn't I?) living and working abroad in a very steady career, I always feel I'm still footering, or 'gallivanting'. Bracing myself for a summer of questions about settling down, lol.
Oh "gallivanting".... that's another great phrase. Thank you of reminding me of this! I live that "when are you going to settle down" question when you live abroad..... as if you're still out backpacking!!
Yes exactly that ... or 'put up with it'/ 'endure it'.
My mother and maternal grandmother used 'footering' a lot (and yes, my granny was also from Donegal and it had a tinge of 'foothering' as she pronounced it). It had exactly that meaning of doing something that wasn't really worth while, and as you say being accused of footering wouldn't exactly be a rebuke, but there would be a sense that you'd be better off doing something more useful or focused. In fact often it was used to chastise themselves rather than other people, or to explain than what they were doing coud easily be dropped of someone asked them to do something else. I like your analysis of Irish society's expectation that women will always be doing something... especially strong in the Presbyterian community I was brought up in.
Thanks so much Clare. Lovely to hear your reflections and how footering showed up and was used in your family. When you spoke about how the women in your family would nearly use it more often to rebuke themselves I was flooded with memories of how my Granny did the same! She was also from a Presbyterian background and I think that emphasis on always being 'at something useful' was very strong in her too
I lived in England for most of my adult life after a Belfast childhood and university in Scotland ... there are so many useful words in Northern Irish and Scottish conversation that have no English equivalent. 'Thole' is another that I would use if only more of my current family and friends understood it ... and it sums up an attitude of Presbyterian Ulster life too ... I was brought up to 'thole' things I didn't like but couldn't change, from pain at the dentist's to an uncomfortable seat in a car to unpalatable food served by a relative who wasn't a good cook.
I've never heard the word 'Thole' before. But what a fantastic word! I can say that many of the women I've interviewed for this project have been expected to 'Thole'. Would it be akin to the sentiment of 'just get on with it'?
Perfect reading for a Sunday when I'm footering around. As a single,38 Yr old Irish gal (I should say woman, shouldn't I?) living and working abroad in a very steady career, I always feel I'm still footering, or 'gallivanting'. Bracing myself for a summer of questions about settling down, lol.
Oh "gallivanting".... that's another great phrase. Thank you of reminding me of this! I live that "when are you going to settle down" question when you live abroad..... as if you're still out backpacking!!
*love