Ireland: The A-Z Irish Glossary - 'L' is for 'Leprechaun'
'Leprechaun'
Supernatural being from Irish folklore taking the form of a tiny old
shoemaker for reasons not exactly clear. Malicious and mischievous, fond
of playing tricks on mortals, a leprechaun can be forced to disclose the
location of hidden treasure if caught - a difficult task, as the
folklore credits them with the skill of teleportation.
Many gullible
Americans journey to Ireland every year in the hope of seeing a
leprechaun (or 'Le-pree-shin' as I was asked for one year!) Luckily for them (because they are a lucky charm you know!), there are many fine shops in Dublin where
they can purchase guaranteed-not-to-teleport leprechaun dolls
made to a traditional recipe in such renowned Irish strongholds as
Hong Kong and Taiwan. Shh...!
'Leprechaun' can also be used as a derogatory term for an Irish person willing to caper around in
a
stage-Irish manner for the amusement of foreigners. How very embarrassing....for them!