Sir, – Your correspondent Éilís ní Anluain-Quill, (July 19th) shares with us the view of the late lamented Diarmaid Ó Muirithe regarding the "dodgy Gaelicisation of 'crack' ... as 'craic'". There is another possible derivation. Catherine Marie O'Sullivan, in her excellent treatise Hospitality in Medieval Ireland, reminds us of the custom of cattle raiding, the proceeds of which were known as "creach", pronounced of course "craic" with the final "c" aspirated. After a successful raid, the "creach" was distributed at a banquet, "lavish in sharing creach" . Sounds like a good party, and closer to current practice than "a good old English/Scottish word"! Apparently penalties were imposed at such "creach" for vomiting at table. Temple Bar please note. Yours, etc,
FERGUS CAHILL,
Cúil Ghlas,
Dunboyne,
Co Meath