Similes, Metaphors & Kennings

Rot·gíuil ind shrathar dodcaid.

(has-stuck-to-you * the * pack-saddle * of ill-luck)

The pack-saddle of misfortune has stuck to you.

Rop éo uasind fhid.

(he was * great tree * above the * wood)

He was a tree that stood above the forest.

Is fér bó aenmachaidh ...

Is fér bó aenmachaidh, is geilt aengeóid, is milide oenbeich.

(is * grass * of cow * of one-field * is * grazing * of one goose * is * honey-pasture * of one bee)

It’s grass for one cow, grazing for one goose, flowers for one bee.

Ard bot fiaich ...

Ard bot fiaich ocainn, íseal bot con.

(high * tail * of raven * at-us * low * tail * of hound)

The raven’s tail is high for us and the hound’s tail is low.

cenn i mbolg

(head * in * bag)

head in a bag

Fiss ⁊ Fochmarc ⁊ Eolus a trí ndruid.

Fiss ⁊ Fochmarc ⁊ Eolus a trí ndruid.
Dub ⁊ Dorcha ⁊ Teimel a trí ndeogbaire.
Saith ⁊ Leór ⁊ Línad a trí rannaire.

(information * and * questioning * and * knowledge * their * three * druids
blackness * and * darkness * and * deep shadow * their * three * cupbearers
sufficiency * and * plenty * and * filling * their * three * carvers)

Facts and Questioning and Knowledge were their three druids.
Blackness and Darkness and Obscurity were their three cupbearers.
Fullness and Plenty and Filling were their three meatcarvers.

The Book of Leinster (lines 3902 - 3915; page 30d) contains a paragraph setting forth the triplistic description of the appearance, clothing, weaponry and retinue of Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharba, the “Trí Dee Donand” (Three Gods of Danu). The names of the three cupbears would seem to indicate that utter insensibility was the expected outcome of a good drinking bout.

Nert ní dernaim.

Nert ní dernaim.
Rith ní rordaim.
Léim ní rolngaim.

(strength * not * I can do
running * not * I can run
leap * not * I can leap)

That is a feat I cannot do.
That is a run I cannot run.
That is a leap I cannot leap.

Is garit mo lorg latt.

(is * short * my * club * with you)

My club is short in your opinion.

Cid as méithi saill tuircc mesa?

Cid as méithi saill tuircc mesa?
Miscais do·berar íar serc.

(what * that is * fatter * than salt-meat * of boar * of mast /
hatred * that is given * after * love)

What is fatter than the bacon of an acorn-fed boar?
Hatred that comes after love.

Día faetsath snáthat...

Día faetsath snáthat isin tig ro-cechlastai a toitim in tan labras beóus.

(if * were to fall * needle * in the * house * would be heard * its * falling * the * time * that he speaks * still)

If a needle fell in the house while he was speaking, it would be heard.