have been to an Irish wedding
A dated and ethnically loaded British slang phrase meaning to have a black eye.
Definitions
A dated and ethnically loaded British slang phrase meaning to have a black eye. The implication that Irish weddings routinely end in brawls reflects the anti-Irish prejudice common in 18th-19th century English society. Entirely archaic and considered offensive by contemporary standards. Documented mainly in historical slang dictionaries.
The landlord took one look at his bruised face and said it looked like he had been to an Irish wedding.
Comments
(slang, archaic) To have a black eye.
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