_Sheilagh's Brush_

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/49100

sheila n SHEILAGH'S BRUSH Ques. The aura of mystery which surrounds "Sheilagh's Brush" reminds me of the kilt. Ask what goes on between a Scotsman and his kilt, and one invariably gets a secretive smile for a reply. Now in Newfoundland I find something of the same puzzling aura surrounding Sheilagh's Brush. I ask: "What's Sheilagh's Brush?" But never, never, do I get a satisfactory reply. Just the smile of secrecy or ridicule, and occasion- ally I'm pushed off with: "Oh, surely you know what Sheilagh's Brush is." Frankly, I do not know, but am now calling for help. ANS.: _Sheilagh's Brush is any sort of a light storm on St. Pat's eve_ It's a bit of Irish folklore transplanted in Newfoundland. When someone worries over a late winter storm you say "_Don't worry, it's only // Sheilagh's Brush". Nothing to worry about, that is. It doesn't mean another long extension of winter_. Wash out your eyes with the snow next morning and you will improve your eye sight, they say. PUBLISHED SOURCE SET____ Used I and Sup Used I and Sup 2 Used I sheelah, sheilagh, sheelagh, sheiler, Sheelah, BRUSH, PATRICK'S BRUSH, sheila, LINER, PATRICK'S BATCH, ~ BROOM/brush/day. Only part of the cited quotation on card is in DNE.