gobaloon

gobaloon

English

Alternative forms

• gobbaloon

Pronunciation

• enPR: gŏb'əlo͞onʹ
• IPA^(key): /ˌɡɒbəˈluːn/

Etymology

• Diarmuid Ó Muirthile says[1] it derives from gobbalew, southwest England dialect for a coastguard exciseman, from French gobe-a-l'eau "one who seizes things on water".[2]

Pronunciation

• enPR: gŏb'əlo͞onʹ
• IPA^(key): /ˌɡɒbəˈluːn/

Noun

gobaloon (plural gobaloons)

1. (Ireland, slang) an oaf or fool
   • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:gobaloon.
2. (Ireland, slang, rare) a frightening or terrible thing
   • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:gobaloon.

Adjective

gobaloon

1. (Ireland, slang, rare) insane, crazy
   • For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:gobaloon.

References

1. Diarmuid Ó Muirthile "The Words We Use" The Irish Times 21 March 1998
2. Joseph Wright, English Dialect Dictionary Vol.2 p.666 (London: Henery Frowde, 1898)