The Lowell Currier 1892: "It has been learned that Bridget Sullivan's exclmation upon that fatal morning was not the English pshaw, but the Irish aughasaugh.which is much more emphatic."
I couldn't find any English translation for the Irish "aughasaugh." It may be a phonetic spelling.
Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
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CagneyBT
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Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
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eileen32003
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
Could have been "óinseach", which means "fool".
Pronounced "owen-sha" or "oon-sha".
Pronounced "owen-sha" or "oon-sha".
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CagneyBT
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
Hi Eileen! Welcome to the forum! 
Thank you for commenting on my post. I searched everywhere for an English translation. If Bridget did indeed say "óinseach" (fool), I wonder if she was commenting about Andrew being foolish enough to lock himself out.
Thank you for commenting on my post. I searched everywhere for an English translation. If Bridget did indeed say "óinseach" (fool), I wonder if she was commenting about Andrew being foolish enough to lock himself out.
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eileen32003
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
May even be likely that she was admonishing herself for struggling with the locks?
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camgarsky4
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
If the Irish version for "Fool" was used, It would certainly 'tweak' our interpretation of Andrew's arrival home and Bridget letting him in the house.
If Bridget did reference AJB as being foolish (perhaps he was mumbling frustrating comments that she could hear thru door) AND Lizzie understood what the Irish term meant (unlikely, but not impossible), it would certainly make Lizzie laughing upstairs make more sense.
I've never bought into the "maniacal-psycho' laugh idea.
If Bridget did reference AJB as being foolish (perhaps he was mumbling frustrating comments that she could hear thru door) AND Lizzie understood what the Irish term meant (unlikely, but not impossible), it would certainly make Lizzie laughing upstairs make more sense.
I've never bought into the "maniacal-psycho' laugh idea.
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CagneyBT
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
I did a bit more research on the term "óinseach" and it specifically refers to a stupid or foolish woman. (The Irish equivalent of a male fool is “amadan”). If Bridget said it, it may have been in relation to Lizzie failing to unlock the front door that morning. It was one of Lizzie’s household duties.
Emma testified at the inquest:
Q: Was it the habit to keep the front door locked with the spring lock?
A: Yes sir.
Q: How about the bolt and the big lock?
A. We used those only when we went to bed.
Q: When did they get unlocked in the morning?
A: Usually when my sister or I came downstairs, one or the other unlocked them.
Emma testified at the inquest:
Q: Was it the habit to keep the front door locked with the spring lock?
A: Yes sir.
Q: How about the bolt and the big lock?
A. We used those only when we went to bed.
Q: When did they get unlocked in the morning?
A: Usually when my sister or I came downstairs, one or the other unlocked them.
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eileen32003
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
Yes, or she could have been admonishing herself.
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camgarsky4
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Re: Bridget: "Pshaw" or Something Else?
Both of you......good stuff!