brogue meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

brogue

noun

UK /ˈbɹəʊ̯ɡ/ · US /ˈbɹoʊ̯ɡ/

Etymology Borrowed from Irish bróg (“boot, shoe”), from Old Irish bróc (“shoe, greave, legging, hose, breeches”), likely from Old Norse brók (“breeches”), from Proto-Germanic *brōks (“breeches”). The "accent" sense may instead be derived from Irish barróg (“a hold (on the tongue)”).

1

A strong dialectal accent, usually Irish or Scottish.

I had no doubt he knew where I was from, for I had the brogue, although not much of it.1978, Louis L'Amour, Fair Blows the Wind, Bantam Books, page 62:
“No-man's-land.” The words were spoken in a deep voice filled with salt water and brogue.2010, Clare Vanderpool, Moon Over Manifest, Random House, page 187:

2 more examples

Belter is composed mainly of Chinese, Japanese, Slavic, Germanic, and romance languages because Earth's most common tongues would be the ones to survive to form the new brogue of the cosmos.2017 April 5, Emily Dreyfuss, “That Cool Dialect on The Expanse Mashes Up 6 Languages”, in WIRED, archived from the original on 25 Jan 2022:
his brooding good looks and distinct Scottish brogue won him legions of fans worldwide.2020 November 1, Alan Young, “Sean Connery obituary: From delivering milk in Fountainbridge to the definitive James Bond”, in The Scotsman:

2

A strong Oxford shoe, with ornamental perforations and wing tips.

He had one pair of brogues and the soles were in a miserable state.2016, Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad, Fleet (2017), page 161:

3

Dated A heavy shoe of untanned leather.

Derived terms: brogued, brogueing, broguery, broguey, broguish

brogue

verb

Etymology Borrowed from Irish bróg (“boot, shoe”), from Old Irish bróc (“shoe, greave, legging, hose, breeches”), likely from Old Norse brók (“breeches”), from Proto-Germanic *brōks (“breeches”). The "accent" sense may instead be derived from Irish barróg (“a hold (on the tongue)”).

1

To speak with a brogue (accent).

2

To walk.

3

To kick.

4

To punch a hole in, as with an awl.

brogue

verb

Etymology Possibly from French brouiller.

1

Dialectal to fish for eels by disturbing the waters.