St. Paddy's In Wilkes-Barre

From downtown Wilkes-Barre comes the cry of “Faith and Begorrah”! Of course, hardly anybody (if anybody) knows what it means, so let’s go there before talking about the people in the house across the street, even though they are more interesting.

“Faith!” was used to precede some strong assertion, as in “By my [Christian religion] Faith. “Begorrah!” was an attempt to circumvent having to say “By God.” So they said, “By Gor,” or “Be Gor,” which became “Begorrah.” We say, “By gosh.”

What meaning does the old Irish exclamation have these days? None whatsoever.

Across the street is a house owned by some fairly young guys who have a day job, whatever it is, and a weekend job of celebrating the holiday of the week – and I understand they are currently four years ahead.

Anyway, the city noted St. Patrick’s Day on Sunday and the kegs came rolling in. Maybe one kegs, maybe two. They are quiet partiers, to be sure, but you can always tell then there is an occasion to be noted, a birthday to be celebrated, a game well-played whether won or lost.

Maybe I could offer the idea that these folks, with their green beer and typically-green outfits, are better behaved and more in the spirit than the raucous bar-hoppers who show up on tv hoisting their mugs of foamy.