English to Shelta

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Shelta to English

The asterisked entries in the Shelta column are in place of contemporary Irish Traveller Cant words that have been erased in the public listing, in deference to the Irish Travellers' desire for privacy. Since this list is primarily for their use to expand the Cant if they wish, and since they already know and use those omitted words, I feel that this is the best compromise presently possible between the conflicting goals of secrecy, preservation and/or restoration. The complete version is only available to selected Irish Travellers for personal use.

There's a pronunciation guide at the bottom of the list. Since these pronunciations were natural to Gaelic speakers, but not to those whose first language is English, I do not expect these phonetics to survive actual usage intact for very long. But, hopefully, they will provide a starting point.

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Pronunciation Guide

SHELTA	ENGLISH	COMMENTARY & EXAMPLES
ayn	1	Shelta only, * KX and Shelta
odd	2	Leland's O.McD. used do (the Irish)
sheeka	3
shaaka	4	KX similar to *
shooka	5	coogh or kyud, KX * = $5.00
shay	6
sheltoo	7
okht	8	similar to German, "acht"
ayen	9	also nee
chal gyetcha	10	* KX
gyetcha	20
odd gyetcha	40
shooka gyetcha	100	KX * = $100.00
*	1000	CX
nokh	?	interrog.prefix Nokh hoo? ="Is that 'not' you?" ('not' is guess)
a	?	question prefix, as in A tcherpu hoo, "Will you cook?"
*	4	CX & Shelta
raag	4-wheeled vehicle	raag tchera = locomotive
	A	BACK TO TOP
*	abdomen	CX and Shelta
grawbaltha	able
mukinye	abode	verb and noun
swurth	above
graarch	acreage
horsk	across
hal	across
agetool	afraid
*	afraid	CX
*	afraid	CX
ar	after
olsk	after
areerth	again
ayeerth	again
yeerth	again
mwaynya	ago
*	airs, as in "put on airs"	CX
*	alcohol, esp. beer	CX
gaather	alcohol
*	alcohol	CX
*	alcoholic	noun close to CX
*	ale	close to CX
atawp	alive
thawpa	alive
goikhil	all	more Irish than Shelta
*	alright	CX
a	and
*	announcer(s)	CX
airpa	another	also aila which is really Irish
ala	another
lee (2)	another
*	anus	part CX
smugal	anvil
mugel	apple	would "potato" be mugel a-ladu as in French?
groola	apple
gray (2)	arise	all three verbs
*	arm	CX and Shelta
soolya	around
*	arrested	CX and Shelta
*	arrested	CX
*	arrested	CX
gramail	as
shloahya	ashes
*	ask	CX
kuldrum	asleep	condition and intr. verb
grasal	ass
*	ass	CX and Shelta
*	asshole	part CX
aburth	at all
granta	aunt
*	automobile	CX and Shelta (originally = "cart")
grooskal	awaken
*	aware	CX
awasth	away
umpi	away?
sharker	axe	od sharker = balance scale brouen sharker = scythe
	B	BACK TO TOP
suba	babble
goikhera	baby
sulyan	baby
nup	back
graysh	back
agraysh	back	torin agreesh, "coming back"
*	backside	CX and Shelta
agraysh	backward	torin agreesh, "coming back"
sugoon	bacon
*	bad	CX
*	bad luck	CX
*	bad	CX and Shelta
*	bad	CX,KX and Shelta prob.stand-alone ver. of *, i.e. "It is bad.")
*	badness	CX and Shelta
ruboag	bag (as in suitcase?)
lampa	bag	lampa muntches = "tobacco-pouch" lampa gored = "purse"
stcheema(r)	bagpipe
*	bar-room	CX
surgon	bargain
shchiblyeen	barn
sgyibowl	barn
grunsa	barrel hoop
kleithon	barrier	possible tawn kleithon ladu = "Tinker's dam?"
leespa	basin
shrish	basin
shrish	basin
reesbath	basket
rooski	basket
skipsy	basket	Romanichal
losport	bastard
*	bathroom	CX
sugoo (1)	battle	verb and/or noun?
graysol	beard
grisoag	beard
lowber	beat	see mish
slim	beat	verb
*	beautiful	CX
*	bed	CX and Shelta
rablyeen	bedsheet
gaather	beer
sinawl	beer	see rawnyal
rawnyal	beer	dubious etymology
akhiver	before
djooka	beggar	definitely not a Traveller
gyoochra	beggar
*	beggar	close to CX using Cant pronunciation instead of initial g'
nup	behind
mwaynya	behind
*	behind	CX and Shelta
shlug (1)	bell
srenth	bellow
*	belly	CX and Shelta
slaaska	belt	noun chastity belt with lock ?? (:>D)
saltha	belt	noun
*	bent old man	close to CX
lyim	beside	noun and preposition
gyilikhon	bible	fairly soft g, almost "j"
*	big	CX, KX probably *
*	big lie	CX
*	big	CX & Shelta
thomiath	bigness
nyakul	bind	verb and noun
graytcheen	bird
kootchi	bit	noun
milk	bit
byinniyan	bit	noun
threep	bit (to drink)	noun
midjokh	bit	Macalister has mid'og = "shilling"
medel	black
*	black man	CX Romanichal?
gooth	black	adjective
*	black man	CX
goothena	blacksmith	Leland's O.McD. says "policeman"
*	blanket	CX
lampayid	blanket
noos	blessing	used in noos a Daalyon = "God's grace" or "God willing"
sthafar(a)(is)	blessing(s)
lud	blind
liba	blood
sorm	blue
subakh	boar
noabyri	bog
tchairp	boil
tchelp	boil	verb
skei-tchelpi	boiled water
*	boisterous	CX
mark	bone
gyilikhon	book	fairly soft g, almost "j"
sreikha	bookkeeper
*	boot	CX & Shelta
*	boozer	noun close to CX
suboal	bottle
dreeper	bottle
shudjail	bottle
brikler	bowl
lagoon	bowl with handle	porringer
gushul	bowl	porringer
ruboag	box
sibleen	boy	related to KX and Shelta *
sham	boy
*	boy, small or little	diminutive form too close to CX
*	boy	Shelta from Macalister too close to CX
growkin	boy
grawkin	boy	overtones of naivety, even stupidity
*	boy	CX and Shelta (using Leland's O.McD.'s pronunciation)
sharpog	boy
granlum (1)	brass
thopa	brave
*	brawl	CX
pek	bread
dura	bread
djerri	bread	Leland's O.McD pronounces it this way
*	break	verb and condition CX & Shelta
prask	break wind
sragaasta	breakfast
myiskon	breast, woman's
greetho	breeze
grayed	bridge
nyookal	bridle
*	broadcasters (Travellers)	CX
*	broken	verb and condition CX & Shelta
simi	broth	Romanichal
manthri	broth
shaakr (1)	brother
*	brother	Shelta from Macalister too close to CX
*	brother	CX & Gaelic
*	brother	CX and Shelta (using Leland's O.McD.'s pronunciation)
*	brother	CX (from Gaelic)
*	brother, small or little	diminutive form too close to CX
ruket	bucket	rhymes with the English
nyaaka	bucket
koldni	bud	probably only Irish
lampoag	budget of tools	may include box they are carried in (see gruska)
garo	bull
goro	bull
paani (2)	bunny	after all this work, I figure I'm allowed these extensions.
sori	burial
skurlum	burn
skrakho	bush
lathrum	butter	?from English "slather?"
*	butter	CX & Shelta
*	butter	CX & Shelta
oid	butter
sreepa	button
skoich	button	Leland's O.McD. adds the "ch"
*	buy	CX
kari	buy	verb

	C	BACK TO TOP
kawb	cabbage
lobaan	cabin
sraakh	cake
shib	call
kawmpa	camp	English loan word, no doubt
*	camp	CX verb
*	campground	CX
*	camping place	CX
*	campsite	CX
khureen	can
ngyaka	can
nyokul	candle
blinkam	candle
*	candy	CX
kara	canoe
Sheldroo	Cant, old	Leland wrote it down wrong, apparently, but Shelta is here to stay.
rabaid	cap
haalor	cap
chaidi	cap
raag	car	raag tchera = locomotive
*	car	CX and Shelta (originally = "cart")
slooya	carbon
roikha	card
medjri	carry
kutcher	cat
maksthi	cat	Romany loan word
kreepukh	cat
bageil	catch
bageil	catching
*	cease	kradji duilsha's pee = "Shut your mouth!" CX & Shelta
staal	cease
loot	cereal
nyochlur	chain
slang	chain
seiher	chair
keihed	chair
graypul	chapel
gris (1)	charm	KX gris * ="fortune-telling woman"
*	cheap	CX
oid tcherpu(d)	cheese	Macalister has t'erpu (tcherpu) ="cooked." k'erp (cherp)??
kasin	cheese
mishoor	chest
*	chicken	CX
graytcheen	chicken
ree-meeder	chief devil
*	child	CX
*	child	CX
gawthrin	child
grimleoar	chimney
gratha (2)	choke	see grath
risp	christen
rispu	christening	Talosk Rispu = "Christmas Day"
makhal	church	also makher
ligi	church
graag	city
thribli	clan
ladu	clay
analth	clean
*	clean	CX & Shelta
krush	clear out	Gammon
kom	clergyman
krimashth	clergyman
shaark	clever	"sharp" seems likely
shlaaka	cloak
yoor	clock	Yiddish or Romany root probably
*	close	CX
kurlim	close	verb
sragon	cloth	adjective
*	cloth in bolts	CX
tchookh	clothes
djookh	clothes
*	clothes	CX
*	coat	CX
*	coat	CX & Shelta
skurik	coin, farthing
rinshkal	colander maker	It might still be useful as a metaphor.
goo-op	cold	using O.McD.'s pronunciation
gawtcha	color
reek	comb	noun
*	come back	CX & Shelta See also * KX
toari	come
*	come	CX
sudjata	company
*	con game	CX
cherpyra	con-man
granlum (3)	condiment
lag	conduct
*	connected	CX
*	consume heartily	CX and Shelta
bwikad	contain	bwikads= "pincers"
tcherpa	cook
tchairp	cook
slukhul	copse
brouen	corn
*	corn	CX & Shelta
look	corner	noun
*	cost	CX & Shelta
grugyim	cottage cheese
skreen	counterfeit	verb
*	counterfeit money	CX
*	counterfeit money	CX,KX see *
*	country	KX Grooth * = "America" CX & Shelta
soopla	couple
rudju	court	verb and noun
rudju-yath	courtship	probable formal courtship.
shedi (1)	cover?	verb
blaanoag	cow
dunik	cow
mooreen	cow
goveli	cow
*	crazy	CX & Shelta
*	crazy	CX & Shelta
*	crazy	CX
*	crazy	CX loaned from Scot.Cant? derived from Romany doddi doddi ?
*	crazy	CX
*	crazy	CX
*	crazy	accent on last syllable CX
smentena	cream	Romany
*	crippled	CX
*	crippled	CX
*	cry	CX
*	cry aloud	CX weep noisily KX * * = "banshee" (bean sidhe)
*	cry	CX
*	cry out	CX weep noisily KX * * = "banshee" (bean sidhe)
brikler	cup
makhon	cup
grupawn	cup
mishoor	cupboard
grugyim	curds
*	curse	CX noun and verb
laburth	curse	noun and verb
graafsha	cursed
shorknes	cursing	verb and/or noun?
shark	cut	verb and noun
sharker	cutter	od sharker = balance scale brouen sharker = scythe
	D	BACK TO TOP
*	dagger	CX
*	damned idiot	CX (almost identical with the Irish usage?)
*	dance	CX , also (s) stands for the cards themselves
myouso	dance	verb and noun
myouso	dancer	verb and noun
dolimi	dark of night
*	date	CX
sherkoo	daughter	sherkoo na slee = "daughter-in-law"
ladjnyakh	daughter
talosk	day	talosk airpa = "another day," stafa talosk = "long day" = "spring"
tawn (2)	day	I think not "daylight day," but calendar "day"
*	day	CX
*	dead	verb, noun, adjective. Close to CX. Oldest Shelta word known.
*	dead	CX
*	deaf	CX
*	death	CX
*	death	verb, noun, adjective. Close to CX. Oldest Shelta word known.
skrawl	decent
myounes	decent
*	demented	CX & Shelta
*	demented	CX & Shelta
sakel	demolish
meeder	devil	see ree-meeder
meederal	deviltry
*	die	CX
*	die	verb, noun, adjective. Close to CX. Oldest Shelta word known.
lee (2)	different
lee (3)	different
tchairpin	digit (finger or toe)
braasi	dine
greentchoor	dinner
gritchair	dinner
greetchi	dinner	?? I have the feeling McD. was a wise guy.
lodakh	dirt (as in dirty)
ladu	dirt
glodakh	dirt, dirty
*	dirty	CX
*	dirty	CX and Gammon, noun when plain, adjective with (ty)
*	dirty	CX
sraskeen	dish
slaatha	dish
leespa	dish
kleithon	ditch	possible tawn kleithon ladu = "Tinker's dam?"
*	do	CX
*	do not	CX
*	do	CX & Shelta
sikdoor	doctor
*	doctor	CX
*	doctor	CX This has to be from English slang, "croaker."
misler	doctor
nap (2)	doff
*	dog	Shelta and CX,KX *)
*	dollar	CX
sreek	done
sraik	done
grasal	donkey
nagat	donkey
gasal	donkey
*	donkey	CX & Shelta
djigger	door
rodus	door
*	door	CX
*	double(s)	CX & Shelta
djima	dowel	Leland's O.McD pronounces it chimma
ashirth	down
sheert	down
sheert	downward
*	dress	CX
groona	dress
mishoor	dresser
borer	drill
*	drink alcohol	CX
sringan	drink
*	drink	verb close to CX
gaather	drink
*	driver's licence.	CX
misla	drizzle	misla-in = "raining"
threep	drop	noun
slug	drop?
sathu	drown
a-sathu	drowned
*	drunk	adjective close to CX
*	drunk	CX
*	drunkard	noun close to CX
waddler	duck	too easy!
*	dullard	CX
shaluwa	dumb	"l" followed by schwa sound more than palatalized
karnaan	dungheap
mukinye	dwelling	verb and noun
	E	BACK TO TOP
glowroag	ear
keinee	ears
*	ears	CX
ladu	earth
*	easy	CX
klush	easy
*	eat	CX and Shelta
lyim	edge	noun and preposition
sugadj	educated	glokh sugadj = "doctor"
shangar	eel
roomoag	egg	see growmug
growmug	egg
krishena	eldest
*	embarass(ed)	CX
sha	emphatic suffix	KX esp. for pronouns, like: * -sha = "myself especially"
muni	encourage	muni tchera = "light a fire"
Palanthus	England	noun and adjective
Palanthus	English	noun and adjective
Grasano	Englishman
*	enraged	past tense of verb and condition CX and Shelta
dorahoag	evening
akhiver	ever
goikhil	every	more Irish than Shelta
*	evil	CX and Shelta
djarp	excellent	really Irish more than Shelta or Cant
labairth	exchange	verb
*	exchange	CX & Shelta
*	excrement	CX
*	excuse	CX and Irish
grespan	exhibit
thribli	extended family
*	extortion	CX
loork	eye
*	eye(s)	CX
loorkoag	eye-related	loorkoag slunya = "glasses", "spectacles"
	F	BACK TO TOP
*	face	CX
graydan	face	noun
*	face	CX
lyivin	factory
shlug (2)	failing	adjective and adverb. Macalister has also verb "to fall?"
greentha, -us	fair
gruvog	fair
foaros	fair (on fairground)	not really Shelta, borrowed from Romany
greewog	fairy
*	fake fur	CX
slug	fall down
slug	fall
stafa	far	stafa thoaber = "long road" thoaber stafa = "main road"
kran	farm
slesker	farmer
prask	fart
myour	fat
*	fat	CX
*	father	CX
*	father	CX
gita	fear
getool	fear
kloodj	feather
groodj (2)	feather
*	feces	CX
braasi	feed
*	feeling	CX and Shelta
*	feisty	CX
*	fellow, small or little	diminutive form too close to CX
*	fellow	CX & Shelta
*	fellow	Shelta from Macalister too close to CX
*	fellow	CX and Shelta (using Leland's O.McD.'s pronunciation)
grifi	female animal
gyofag	female pig
*	fence	CX & Shelta
galapa	fern
sup	few
soopla	few
graarch	field
saark	field
threepus	fight	verb and noun
*	fight	CX
kamreilidj	fight
*	find	CX & Shelta
buri	fine
been	fine
thopa	fine
lashool	fine
sraik	finished
sreek	finished
tchini	fire
thera	fire	noun
*	fire	CX & Shelta
skaiv	fish	noun
lagprath	fish	noun
*	five	CX
*	five dollars	CX
skukar	five
*	five dollars	CX
shooka	five
tchini	flame?
suboal	flask
greenlesk	flax
graarnog	flea
spurk	flirt	very elastic verb, disapproving everything
loorp	flour
lashool	flower
graro	foal
*	fodder	CX
tcholi	follow	verb
mugathath	folly
braas	food
*	fool	CX
mong	fool
mugathawn	fool	omathon-agon reversed
*	fool	CX
grinysheg	foolish female
*	foot	CX
koali	foot
*	foot	CX
lyag	forget
getcha	forgive
getchal	forgiveness
spurkera	fornicator
gris (1)	fortune	KX gris * ="fortune-telling woman"
shaakr (2)	four
*	four	CX & Shelta
laproag	fowl
*	fraud	CX
lee (1)	fresh
*	friend	CX and Shelta (using Leland's O.McD.'s pronunciation)
sreentul	friend
menthroh	friend
*	friend	Shelta from Macalister too close to CX
greenthala	friends
*	frightened	CX
shlyaima	frog	Oh, come on!
grukh (1)	frost
thera	fuel?	noun
tawn (1)	full
sugoo (2)	fun
shoru	funeral
*	fur (fake)	CX
gopa (2)	furnace	Leland's O.McD. provides this meaning
athoamier	further	related to thoam="great" or "large"

	G	BACK TO TOP
raagli	garden
chairk	garment
tchookh	garments
*	gasoline	CX
srat	gate
gyetchum	gate
swudal	gentle	Daalyon Swuda = "Almighty God"
sakerente	gentleman
yaidug	gentlewoman
*	get	CX & Shelta
*	get	CX verb
*	get mad	CX
kant	gill, fluid wt.(4 oz.)
borer	gimlet
*	girl	CX and Shelta
nawp	give
bug	give
goathi	give
gori	give
slunya	glass
*	go	close to Cant (CX) verb and adjective
djonawdu	go
*	go crazy	accent on last syllable CX
*	go	CX
*	go from	CX
gaverog	goat
wobbler	goat
Daalyon	God
misli-in	going to	an aid in defining the future tense, as in "going to move on soon."
grawth	gold, golden
*	good	close to CX
bonar	good	possibly from French
*	good	CX,KX * = "tasty" * = "pretty"
*	goodness	close to CX
buriakht	goodness	Might be buryath instead?
*	goons	CX
moshona	goose	"turkey" by extension?
masheen	goose	"turkey" by extension?
groona	gown
brouen	grain
thoam-gaater	grandfather
karb	grandmother
sheerk	grass
glask	grass
thomiath	great size
thoamaan	great
been	great
*	great	CX & Shelta
buri	great
laasoon	great-	used with gaater and nadjram, like thoam but use limited to lineage
granlesk	green
slukhul	greenwood
*	ground	CX
slukhul	grove
*	grow irate	CX
*	gullible	CX
*	gun	CX & Shelta
	H	BACK TO TOP
soork	hair
greerse	hair
graydj	hair
*	hair	CX
byanag	hairdo
chal	half
nyookal	halter
raiglan	hammer	"iron" as in "tire iron," possibly even "pressing iron?"
mashoor	hammer	noun
djanadair	hammerer	Carpenter? or just somebody using a hammer?
*	hand	CX and Shelta
mankers	handkerchief
*	handle	CX and Shelta
*	handling	CX and Shelta
surk	hang
thaadjir	hard
paani (2)	hare	after all this work, I figure I'm allowed these extensions.
streepukh	harlot	see reepukh
nutha	hat
*	hat	CX
gratha (1)	hat
ribad	hat	Wow! Lot's of words for caps and hats.
graafsha	haunted
spurk	have sex	very elastic verb, disapproving everything
raib	hay
grayer	hay
gweesh	hay
*	head	CX and Shelta
*	hear	CX
gloree	hear
greesh	heart
noos	help	used in noos a Daalyon = "God's grace" or "God willing"
kroudug	hen
kamag	hen
*	here is	CX and Shelta
nasdjaish	here
*	here	CX and Shelta
luskaan	herring	sardine, too?
skudal	herring
laabi	hide	verb
lanach	highway
lowber	hit	see mish
mish	hit	verb
bwikad	hold	bwikads= "pincers"
lub	hole
haavari	home
*	home	CX
luskan	hoop
gyofan	horse
*	horse	CX & Shelta
blyhunka	horse
geth	hot
*	house	CX
*	house	CX
kena	house	ignoring palatalized k
nyedas	house
*	hundred	CX
*	hunger	CX & Shelta
grakhu	hurry
mweel	I
	I	BACK TO TOP
grukh (1)	ice
*	identification	CX
*	idiot	CX
*	idiot	CX
*	idiot	accent on last syllable CX
*	idiot	CX
marro	if	Macalister says "if there were. . ."
laask (1)	ignite
greetch	ill
greetchyath	illness
cherpyra	imposter
a	in
na (2)	in
sturth	in	see asturth
asturth	in, into	both a position preposition and a motion preposition
mugathath	inanity
goikhera	infant
*	inform on	CX & Shelta verb and noun, (lyesk chirps = "tell fortunes")
*	injure	verb CX and Shelta
*	injured	past tense of verb and condition CX and Shelta
sturth	inner	see asturth
*	innocent	CX
lyeerk	intelligence
*	intelligence	CX
sturth	into	see asturth
reelye	intoxicating	see riloo
Rilanthus	Ireland
Shelta	Irish Traveller lang.(1875)	Shelta
Shisher	Irish
Rilanthu	Irish
*	irk	CX & Shelta
raiglum	iron	adjective
raiglan	iron thing	"iron" as in "tire iron," possibly even "pressing iron?"
nokh	is that not...?	interrog.prefix Nokh hoo? ="Is that 'not' you?" ('not' is guess)
*	itself	CX
	J	BACK TO TOP
Pokkonus	J.P.	Romanichal
*	jail	CX and Shelta
*	jail	CX
*	job	noun and verb, CX and Shelta
gesthi	judge	noun
shrug	jug
srug	jug
	K	BACK TO TOP
srittel	kettle
shrittel	kettle
gushook	kettle
shorik	key	see shrokhar and srothar. shorikin-lub = "keyhole"
shukhar	key	see shorik, etc.
srothar	key
shrokhar	key
ree	king	from Irish righe
sreego	king	KX * sreego = queen
sreedug	kingdom
gawp	kiss	noun and verb
sharag	kiss	noun
*	kiss	CX (from the Gaelic)
*	kiss	CX
slosk	kitchen
chaldroch	knife	Leland's O.McD.uses it, but it's a Romany loan word
*	knife	CX
kawlra	knife
skolya	know
*	know	CX
*	know	CX
*	know	CX
granail	knowledge
	L	BACK TO TOP
*	lace	CX
nyaak (1)	lack	verb and noun
sham	lad
growkin	lad
laydoag	lady
yaidug	lady
*	lame	CX
gafa	lame
*	lame	CX
*	lament	CX
*	lament	CX
slooya	lampblack
*	language	noun close to CX
mwaynya	last
akhayr	last night
stafa	late	stafa thoaber = "long road" thoaber stafa = "main road"
*	laugh	CX
rawgli	laugh
*	laugh	CX
slee	law
kroudug	layer
grolsinyath	laziness
*	lazy	CX
grolsa	lazy
lag	lead
shlyaim	leap	verb
*	learn	CX & Shelta
shlee-a	leather
geth	leave off
*	leave, esp.suddenly	CX
gokhi	leave	verb
*	leave	CX
gokhyi	leave	Leland's O.McD. pronounces it goyhe
koari	leg
*	legs	CX
*	letter	close to CX
bulla	letter
cherpyra	liar
*	lice	CX
*	license plates	CX
*	lie	CX
gwilyi	lie down
*	lie	CX & Shelta verb and noun, (lyesk chirps = "tell fortunes")
gradum	life
blinklum	light
ludus	light
laask (1)	light
*	like	CX
gramail	like
umpi	linger?
bilsag	lips
*	liquid	CX & Shelta, verb and noun skai myour-a = "fat liquid" = "oil"
gloree	listen to
*	listen	CX
gloral	listening
byinniyan	little	noun
byinny	little	adjective
*	little	CX and Irish?
kootchi	little	noun
*	little	CX & Shelta
kradjee(s)	live(s)
thawpa	living
mukinye	living	verb and noun
turan	loaf of bread
loobeen	loaf (of bread)
slaask	lock	noun
*	lock	CX verb and noun
slaasker	locksmith
nyedas	lodging
stall	lodgings
umpi	loiter?
stafa	long	stafa thoaber = "long road" thoaber stafa = "main road"
*	look	CX
*	look	verb CX & Shelta
*	look	CX and Shelta
daynoch	lose
lyag	lose
lyagun	loss
thoamaan	lots
*	loud	CX
*	loudmouth	CX
*	louse	CX
*	louse	CX
lyeema	louse
*	lousy	CX
graw (1)	love
*	love	CX
spurkera	lover
*	lowlifes	CX
graw (2)	luck
sess	luck	also Irish (Cess)
mundjari	lunch	from French?

	M	BACK TO TOP
thopa	macho?
*	mad	CX & Shelta
*	mad	CX & Shelta
*	madden	CX & Shelta
Pokkonus	magistrate	Romanichal
*	make	CX & Shelta
feen	man
*	man	CX and Shelta ("old man")
glokh	man
lag	manage
raark	manner	a-raark = "similarly." that raark = "in that case" or "then."
goshta	many
*	many	CX & Shelta
*	mare	CX
kesig	mare
grifi	mare
*	mark	CX
*	mark	CX
greentha, -us	market
gruvog	market
karbu	market
surgu (3)	market
*	married	close to CX
*	married	CX & Shelta
*	marry	CX and Shelta
grashano	mason
nyuklyoar	match
djima thira	match
lampoag	materials	may include box they are carried in (see gruska)
mweelsha	me
loo-oag	meal	as in "oatmeal" or "ground meal"
raark	means	a-raark = "similarly." that raark = "in that case" or "then."
*	meat	fay-ya blanog= "beef" CX & Shelta
*	meat	CX
karnish	meat
naper (1)	meddle
swurkin	melody
shedi (1)	mend	verb
lyeeman (1)	mile
*	milk	CX & Gaelic
alamakh	milk
nap (3)	milk	verb
yoarum	milk	see alamakh
lyivin	mill
greeltchoor	miller
lyart	mind
srowmaid	minute
sumadj	minute
sudj	mix	verb
sumadj	moment
Sloon	Monday
gored	money
*	money	weight or money, pound or $5.00 CX & Shelta
lyoor	money
wedj	money
vonger	money	Romanichal for "coals?"
*	money	CX
*	monkey	close to CX
grimsher	month	ext'd but indef. period; could mean year or weather
athoamier	moreover	related to thoam="great" or "large"
hawrum	morning
*	morning	CX
sroidjan	morning
*	motel	CX
stall	motel room
*	mother	CX & Shelta
kameir	mother
*	mother	CX
glyeeth	mountain
bilsag	mouth
*	mouth	CX
*	mouth	CX
*	mouth	CX
*	msg. relay(s)	CX
thoamaan	much
lodakh	mud
*	mule	CX
mo	my	also mosa
*	myself	CX
	N	BACK TO TOP
growkin	naif
grawkin	naif	overtones of naivety, even stupidity
*	naif	CX
ngloo	nail
granya	nail	verb
shib	name
munika	name	English "moniker"
linska	name	noun, see munik
*	name	CX noun
nolsk	near
spurk	neck	very elastic verb, disapproving everything
shtcheemon	neck
stcheemon	neck
ukh	need
snail (1)	needle	noun
*	negro	CX Romanichal?
granlum (2)	neighbor
*	nervous	CX
*	nervous	CX
grooth	new
greeson	news
shingomei	newspaper	from Leland's O.McD. only
lashool	nice
*	nice	CX
olomi	night
*	night	CX
glyawg	nit
*	no	CX
swudal	noble	Daalyon Swuda = "Almighty God"
grolan	noise
misli-er	nomad
shib	nominate
*	non-Traveller	CX adj. (used with Cant words for woman, man, people, etc.)
buffer	non-Traveller	Gammon
*	non-Travellers	CX
*	non-Travellers	CX
ludjra	north
*	nose	CX and Shelta
bulla	note
*	nothing	CX
nyurth	now
minyurth	now	talosk minyurth = "today"
	O	BACK TO TOP
grunim	oat-meal
*	obese	CX
kradjee(s)	occupy(ies)
loorkoag	ocular	loorkoag slunya = "glasses", "spectacles"
nyairp	odor	verb and noun
na (1)	of the
na (1)	of
a	of
akh	oh yeah?	Macalister uses "Oh!" "alas! and "indeed!"
*	okay	CX
*	okay	CX and Shelta
karb	old woman
*	old	CX and Shelta
Sheldroo	old Cant	Leland wrote it down wrong, apparently, but Shelta is here to stay.
*	old woman	CX (see karb)
*	old man	CX
krishena	oldster
*	on to	CX
aswurth	on
ar	on
shedi (2)	on	preposition
swurth	on
warth	one	see awarth
awarth	one	one of a number of alternate words for "1"
*	one	CX and Shelta
gritchoon	onion
graskal	open	verb
gruskal	open	verb and adjective
skoap	open	noun?? verb??
*	ourselves	CX
*	out of mind	CX
akhim	out
akhim	outside
sreek	over
sraik	over
olsk	over
horsk	over
*	over there	CX and Shelta
shedi (2)	over?	preposition
shum	own	Leland's O.McD. only source again
	P	BACK TO TOP
*	pair	CX & Shelta
faychairp	pan
graysub	pan
*	pant(s)	CX & Shelta
*	paper money	close to CX
*	paper	close to CX
stiff	paper	Gammon
abistha	parish
rabista	parish
sik	part
prask	pass wind
olsk	past
lyag	pawn
kari	pay	verb
*	pay	CX
*	peddle	close to CX
*	peddle	CX
*	peer	CX
*	penis	CX
gyoar	penis	ignoring palatalized r
*	penis	CX, see gyoar and KX *
*	penny	CX and Shelta
*	people	CX (may be pronounced feenee)
*	people	CX
*	people	CX KX May be pronounced *
lyitchen	people	used only by Leland's O.McD.
*	person	CX & Shelta
spurk	pet	very elastic verb, disapproving everything
kootchi	piece	noun
milk	piece
shrugu	pied	skaiv shrugu = "trout"
mwog	pig
niba	pin	niba loork = "needle" niba shlyukh = "pen"
nimpeen	pin
koi	pincers	see bwikads
shant	pint	they must have loved their Guinness
srunta	pint
nimpa	pint
sinta	pint
shtcheema	pipe	see stcheema
stcheema(r)	pipe
stcheemera	piper
greewog	pixie
*	place	CX
gokhi	place	verb
gokhyi	place	Leland's O.McD. pronounces it goyhe
*	place	CX
nyedas	place
gratch	place	noun
slaatha	plate
*	play cards	CX , also (s) stands for the cards themselves
roikha	playing card
grawsi	please	verb
goshta	plenty
surthul	plow
*	pocket	CX & Shelta
*	policeman	CX
mithni	policeman
*	policeman	CX
*	policeman	close to CX, possibly talking about "Black & Tan"
*	policeman	close to CX
muskro	policeman	from Romany. Musker = "policeman" in English Cant
gop	poor
tharpoan	porridge
loot	porridge
shum	possess	Leland's O.McD. only source again
aga	possession
gopa (1)	pot
bleiki	pot
*	potato	CX and Irish
*	potato	CX & Shelta
*	pound	weight or money, pound or $5.00 CX & Shelta
*	pound	CX
nyugi	pound	money
sthafar(a)(is)	prayer(s)
ridyu	pregnant
granyen	pregnant	it's possible O.McD. was playing a joke on Leland
lashool	pretty
*	price	CX & Shelta
*	priest	CX & Shelta
*	priest	CX
*	prison	CX and Shelta
bladunk	prison
*	prison	CX
sugadj	professional?	glokh sugadj = "doctor"
lutram	prostitute
*	prostitute	CX
reepukh	prostitute
Dolsk	Protestant
pornuk	Protestant	see Bloarna
Bloarna	Protestant
grooskill	punch	noun and verb
*	punks	CX
ruspaan	purse
grakht	put out
gokhyi	put	Leland's O.McD. pronounces it goyhe
gokhi	put	verb
gori	put
	Q	BACK TO TOP
kamreilidj	quarrel
*	quart	CX & Shelta
sharu	quarter
*	quarter	CX
lee (3)	queer
grakht	quench
*	quick	close to Cant (CX) verb and adjective
grentcha	quick
sakaanta	quiet
riltoag	quilt	nyedas riltoag = "camp" riltoag reglum = "sheet iron"
	R	BACK TO TOP
morg-hen	rabbit
shushei	rabbit	Romani
paani (2)	rabbit	after all this work, I figure I'm allowed these extensions.
thirpa	rag
tirpoag	rag
tchookh	raiment
shlyukh	rain
*	rain	CX
robikin	rain
misla	rain	misla-in = "raining"
gray (2)	raise	all three verbs
srenth	rant
nyaak (2)	rascal	close to Gammon's naker
nyaakish	rascally
slaahog	rat	byinni slaahog = "mouse"
stchaimon	rat
srenth	rave
reesk	razor
tashi	read	from Leland's O.McD. Macalister says doubtful.
shlyee-ukh	read	glokh shlyee-ukh = "teacher"
shlyee-ukh	reading	glokh shlyee-ukh = "teacher"
djarp	real	really Irish more than Shelta or Cant
*	realize	CX
sharog	red, red-haired	Macalister has = "vexed." Seems a simple extension
swudal	refined	Daalyon Swuda = "Almighty God"
sreedug	reign
milesh	remain
ukh	requirement
sorsh	resin
sakerente	respectable m.
*	return	CX & Shelta See also * KX
graysh	returned from
luskan	ribbed rim (of a can)
graanye	ring	noun
gray (2)	rise	all three verbs
*	ritz	CX
*	road	CX & Shelta
sramal	rob
sumoal	rob	verb and noun
sramaler	robber
sumoal	robber	verb and noun
djima	rod	Leland's O.McD pronounces it chimma
nyaak (2)	rogue	close to Gammon's naker
nyaakish	roguish
Rilanthus	Roman Catholic
*	Romany	CX
*	Romany	CX
mamyrum	room
taryin	rope
slokha	rotten
krush	run away	Gammon
shuri	run	verb
*	run away	CX
shuri-er	runner
shural	running
snail (2)	rush	snailee = "bundle of rushes"

	S	BACK TO TOP
krees	saddle
gushu	saddle
*	sail	CX & Shelta, verb and noun skai myour-a = "fat liquid" = "oil"
skeihan	sailor
*	sales-pitch	CX and Irish
laskon	salt
arark	same
grawsta	satisfied
Graadni	Saturday
granlum (3)	sauce
grawser	saucer
skolyami	savant	"good scholar" obviously not meant as "student"
*	scam	CX
shlyee-ukhther	scholar	see skolyami
skolyami	scholar	"good scholar" obviously not meant as "student"
sharker	scissors	od sharker = balance scale brouen sharker = scythe
meeshur	scissors	meeshur thoam = shears, snips
Grasano	Scot
surgu (2)	sea
*	sea	CX & Shelta, verb and noun skai myour-a = "fat liquid" = "oil"
grimsher	season	ext'd but indef. period; could mean year or weather
*	see	CX and Shelta
*	self	CX and Shelta
*	sell	CX
*	sell	close to CX
*	sell	CX and Gammon and Shelta
*	sellers	CX and Gammon and Shelta
lyeerk	sense
*	sense	CX
sheltu	seven
soopla	several
getool	shake
nyaifin	shame
mhic	shame?
*	shame(d)	CX
sik	share
shaark	sharp?	"sharp" seems likely
meersroon	shawl
*	shawl?	close to CX
kleetug	sheep
kreemoom	sheep
riltoag	sheet	nyedas riltoag = "camp" riltoag reglum = "sheet iron"
rablyeen	sheet
Sheldroo	Shelta	Leland wrote it down wrong, apparently, but Shelta is here to stay.
*	shelter	CX soft "th," almost a "v" sound
*	shelter?	CX
lod	shiny?	would tend to assign "shiny" here and "milk-white" to nap
skoabug	ship	noun
karmush	shirt
blyantakh	shirt
*	shirt	CX & Shelta
*	shit	CX
*	shit	CX
karnaan	shitpile
*	shoe	CX & Shelta
*	shoes	CX
*	shoes	CX
lurhan	shoes
grukh (2)	shoot	verb
gropa	shop
gropa	shop
opagrow	shop	see gropa
sreikha	shop-clerk
brogees	short pants
grala	shoulder
grespan	show
naak	shred of clothing
groothi	shut
greetch	sick
*	sicken	CX
greetchyath	sickness
lyim	side	noun and preposition
boreens	side roads
rinshkal	sieve maker	It might still be useful as a metaphor.
shaluwa	silent	"l" followed by schwa sound more than palatalized
gree-ed	silk
skawfer	silver
arark	similarly
*	simpleton	CX
shako	sin	verb and noun
swurk	sing
swurkera	singer
shrish	sink?
threep	sip	noun
shaykar	sister	with Cant for "woman," b. shaykar = "nun"
siskaar	sister
*	sit down	CX sounds like the Cockney slag word for "excrement?"
*	sit	CX sounds like the Cockney slag word for "excrement?"
*	sit down	CX & Shelta
*	sit down	CX
*	sit	CX
shay	six
lyishgad	skillet	KX * & getch = "hot food" perhaps?
kuldrum	sleep	condition and intr. verb
*	sleep	CX
shark	slice	verb and noun
*	slob	CX and Gammon, noun when plain, adjective with (ty)
shlug (2)	slow	adjective and adverb. Macalister has also verb "to fall?"
shlug (2)	slowly	adjective and adverb. Macalister has also verb "to fall?"
sugoo (2)	sly
lyogakh	small boy
sushgad	small pot
byinny	small	adjective
tawn	small
midjokh	small thing	Macalister has mid'og = "shilling"
byinniyath	smallness	noun
*	smash(ed)	verb and condition CX & Shelta
nyairp	smell	verb and noun
goothena	smith	Leland's O.McD. says "policeman"
kroo	smith
gopa (2)	smithy	Leland's O.McD. provides this meaning
grath	smoke
stcheema(r)	smoking pipe
shangar	snake
grokhta	snow	grokhta-nap = "snow-white"
growpa	soap
ladjram	soap	English loan word "lather"
*	socialize	CX , also (s) stands for the cards themselves
moothoag	sock
grawd	sod	unfortunate person, not grass
growda	soda
stokha	soft
*	soft	CX
grawder	solder
*	soldier	close to CX, possibly talking about "Black & Tan"
sharagi	soldier
*	solid waste	CX
sik	some
*	someone	CX & Shelta
kam	son
swurkin	song
lodakh	soot
slooya	soot
gris (2)	soul
gradum	soul
manthri	soup
gyofag	sow
shee-u	sow seed
naper (2)	spade
*	speak	verb close to CX
*	speaker	noun close to CX
*	speaking	noun close to CX
shrugu	speckled	skaiv shrugu = "trout"
*	speech	noun close to CX
*	speech	noun close to CX
shaluwa	speechless	"l" followed by schwa sound more than palatalized
shural	speedy
gradum	spirit
stamera	spit	verb
smakh	spit	verb
noospoag	spoon
mooskoag	spoon
smawlkera	spoon, wooden
shrugu	spotted	skaiv shrugu = "trout"
mayri	stairs
shedi (1)	stand	verb
stedi	stand	verb
muni	start	muni tchera = "light a fire"
*	stay	CX
milesh	stay
*	steal	CX
sramal	steal
byaig	steal
*	steal	CX
djima	stick	Leland's O.McD pronounces it chimma
*	stick	CX & Shelta
naak	stitch
moothoag	stocking
kadjoag	stone
losk	stool	How many words for "stool" did they have?
laakoon	stool
kreepyin	stool
laask (2)	stool
*	stop	kradji duilsha's pee = "Shut your mouth!" CX & Shelta
staal	stop
geth	stop
*	store	CX
*	store	CX
lyesko	story	similar to KX * (Gaelic loan word)
*	story	CX and Irish
graansha	stranger	noun
strumble	straw
gweesh	straw
greesk	straw
graag	street
gragh	street
thaadjirath	strength
lowber	strike	see mish
sroapa	string	sroapa raiglum = "chain" (says Macalaster; "wire rope?" says I)
krouder	string
sraapa	string	also saapa
*	strong beer	CX and Shelta
thaadjir	strong
*	stubborn man	CX
mugathath	stupidity
*	sucker	CX
*	sucker	CX
sha	suffix, emphatic	KX, esp. for pronouns, like: * -sha = "myself especially"
grooker	sugar	cherpy grooker = "sugar substitute" ?? (:>D)
*	suit	CX
graura	summer
Djumnik	Sunday
*	super idiot	CX (almost identical with the Irish usage?)
gripa	supper
*	sure	CX and Shelta
braas	sustinence
noabyri	swamp
*	swamp	CX
labairth	swap	verb
*	swap	CX & Shelta
djumik	swear	to take an oath
feechir	sweep	noun
greewa	sweep	verb
myali	sweet
lyibis	sweet
rudju	sweetheart	verb and noun
glader	swindle
	T	BACK TO TOP
srurd	table
burik	table	Leland's O.McD. said bord, which is Irish
madel	tail
sgrubal	tail
laakr	tailor
nap (2)	take off
*	take	CX verb
byaig	take
bageil	take
*	taken	CX and Shelta
*	taken	CX
*	taking	CX and Shelta
*	talk	verb , CX too close to word below in Scottish Cant
*	talk	noun close to CX
*	talk	verb close to CX
*	talking	noun close to CX
lumee	tarpaulin
lasp	taste	noun and/or verb?
*	tax	CX
skei-tchelpi	tea
sklawtakh	tea
gray (1)	tea
*	tea	CX
groodj (3)	tea
*	teach	CX
giligopa	teapot
*	tell	CX & Shelta
griso	tell fortunes	verb
*	tell	CX
*	tell fortunes	CX Romany loan word?
*	temptation?	CX
*	tent	CX
lumee	tent cover
lobaan	tent
lubaan	tent
kouvi	testacle
*	that is	CX and Shelta
*	theirselves	CX
*	themselves	CX
*	there	CX and Shelta
*	thing	CX and Shelta
*	thing	CX, obviously KX "the" *
tchait	thing	similar to KX *
*	thing	CX
shang	think
djokh	this ?	guess based on Leland's O.McD usage
akhonshk	this day's	Macalister has akhonshk= "tonight?"; not quite right with olomi
*	this is	CX and Shelta
surgu (1)	thorn
thoo	thou
slim	thrash	verb
greisk	thread
sheeka	three
nyakul	tie	verb and noun
toork	time
grimsher	time	ext'd but indef. period; could mean year or weather
sloopen	timepiece
staan	tin
yergan	tin
djorker	tin
ngyaka	tincan
minker	tinker	perhaps minkayr?
naker	tinker	Gammon has naker as "ruffian"
merhgin	tinker's box	see gruska
minker	tinsmith	perhaps minkayr?
gruska	tinsmith's box	perhaps "budget" (see lampoag)
tawn	tiny
surkha	tired
od(h)	to	English back-formed, you think?? Actually Irish for 2, to, too = do
ugum	to (at) my side
foargaree	tobacco
*	tobacco	CX
muntches	tobacco
akhonshk	today	Macalister has akhonshk= "tonight?"; not quite right with olomi
akharam	tomorrow	sroidean akharam= "tomorrow morning"
mongas	tongs
meeshoag	tongue
od(h)	too	English back-formed, you think?? Actually Irish for 2, to, too = do
graykhol	tooth
*	tooth	CX
*	tough guy	CX
grakhul	towards
*	town	stress on first syllable. CX & Shelta See also * KX
oura	town
helm	town
elum	town
*	town	stress on first syllable. CX & Shelta See also * KX
grup	trace
*	trade	CX and Gammon and Shelta
surdu	trade	verb and/or noun?
*	traders	CX and Gammon and Shelta
*	trailer	CX soft "th," almost a "v" sound
toarog	tramp
djooka	tramp	definitely not a Traveller
skeit	transported
skrakho	tree
shkrawkh	tree
getool	tremble
strides	trousers	Romanichal?
*	trousers	CX & Shelta
djarp	true	really Irish more than Shelta or Cant
granko	turkey	the animal, not the insult
kogi	turnip
*	twenty-five cents	CX
dorahoag	twilight
od(h)	two	English back-formed, you think?? Actually Irish for 2, to, too = do

	U	BACK TO TOP
*	ugly	CX
akh	uh-oh!	Macalister uses "Oh!" "alas! and "indeed!"
goapan	umbrella
grunkel	uncle
sheert	under?
karnag	undershorts
*	understand	CX loan word from Scottish Travellers
*	understand	CX
*	understand	CX
shang	understand
thoork	up
swurth	up
shedi (2)	upon	preposition
aswurth	upon
swurth	upon
*	urinate	CX
	V	BACK TO TOP
lub a koarig	vagina
misli-er	vagrant
*	value	CX & Shelta
*	very nice	CX
*	vex	CX & Shelta
*	victim	CX
*	violent	CX
*	violently hurt	verb CX and Shelta
gresco	voice	noun
koarig	vulva
	W	BACK TO TOP
*	wail	CX
*	wail(ing)	CX
geth	wait
*	wait	kradji duilsha's pee = "Shut your mouth!" CX & Shelta
shoru	wake
*	walk	CX
*	walk	close to Cant (CX) verb and adjective
kleithon	wall	possible tawn kleithon ladu = "Tinker's dam?"
*	want	CX (1)&(2) obviously this has changed since 1878 or so
nyok	want
sugoo (1)	war	verb and/or noun?
radam	war
korib	warm	verb
analth	wash
*	wash	CX & Shelta
*	watch	verb CX & Shelta
sloopen	watch
guris	watch	noun
grisool	watch	noun
*	watchful	CX
paani (1)	water	probably Romani. See skei
*	water	CX & Shelta, verb and noun skai myour-a = "fat liquid" = "oil"
skok	water	What makes this water different from skei?
raark	way	a-raark = "similarly." that raark = "in that case" or "then."
shlug (2)	weak	adjective and adverb. Macalister has also verb "to fall?"
*	wealth	CX
sreesh	week
grakhton	week
graaltcha	welcome
*	well	close to CX
skrubol	well (hole in ground)	skei skrubol = "water well"
*	well	CX,KX * = "tasty" * = "pretty"
mwik	west
shlyukhu	wet
*	whacky	CX loaned from Scot.Cant? derived from Romany doddi doddi ?
sreelik	wheel
nulsk	when
kay	where	see kar
kar	where
groosku	while
slim	whip	verb
*	whiskey	CX
nap (1)	white
*	white-skinned	CX
lye	white
lod	white	would tend to assign "shiny" here and "milk-white" to nap
*	whopper	CX
greetho	wind
grinyoag	window
blinkee	window
stcheemon	windpipe
shtcheemon	windpipe?
sreedja	wine
bulscur	wire
gut	wire
nyok	wish
grup	wisp
lyeerk	wit
*	wit	CX
gyay	with	using long "e" alternative
nasdjaish	with
raaks	without
lyeerko	witty
sugoo (2)	witty
*	woman	CX,KX and Shelta *
mul	woman
myiskon	woman's breast
rudju	woo	verb and noun
sloofa	wood	adjective?
glootug	wool
klootcha	wool
*	word	CX & Shelta
*	work	noun and verb, CX and Shelta
*	work	CX
*	worth	CX & Shelta
*	worthless	CX
stiff	writing paper	Gammon
	X	BACK TO TOP
	Y	BACK TO TOP
streihmed	year
lyeeman (2)	year	context tells the difference, I suppose.
stretch	year	Gammon
gyal	yellow
neep	yellow
*	yes	CX and Shelta
myena	yesterday
duilsha	you	duilsha's="your"
thoo	you
hoo	you	singular only?
gawthena	young person
gawth	young
dodjeel's	your	(shift apostrophe for plural)
do	your
*	yourself	CX
	Z	BACK TO TOP