Sir, – I recall these excuses for absenteeism and tardiness given in Gaigue NS Co Longford in the 1950s.
288. I was guggerin’, Sir. (planting potatoes). 289. The cow was a-bullin’, Sir. 290. We had the thresher, Sir. 291. I had to go to the bog, Sir. 292. I crigged me toe, Sir. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 293. That wasn’t in the document. 294. That wasn’t put in writing. (Both to be offered in 2016). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 295. Sorry, I didn’t see you (used by drivers every day all over Ireland, after hitting a cyclist). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 296. He would have hurled for the county if only for the ankle. 297. Blame it on the Boogie.
298. It was the Leprechauns made me do it. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 299. “Ní thuigim” – my stock reply to a long-suffering teacher in secondary school (1972 – 1977) upon being addressed with any question in Irish. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 300. My Mammy made me do it. – Yours, etc,