Lizzie Borden Society Forum

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.

Could have been "óinseach", which means "fool".

Pronounced "owen-sha" or "oon-sha".

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.

May even be likely that she was admonishing herself for struggling with the locks?

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.

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.

Yes, or she could have been admonishing herself.

Both of you......good stuff!