Sasamach

Irish

Etymology

Blend of Sasana (“England”) +‎ amach (“out, away”), formed by analogy with English Brexit and punning on Sasanach (“English”)

Noun

Sasamach m (genitive singular Sasamach)

1. Brexit
   • 2016 June 20, Sarah de Búrca Sasamach - leas nó aibhleas? (Meon Eile, Belfast)

     I gcás Sasamach, mar sin, dá bhfógrofaí maidin Dé Luain go raibh sé i gceist sa chéad dul síos maolú a dhéanamh ar stádas an Bhéarla mar theanga oibre agus díriú ar phríomhtheangacha oifigiúla na mBallstát san Aontas, bhuel, ní fhéadfainn a rá nach gcuirfinn fáilte roimh a leithéid de thoradh. [...]

     Mar gheall ar Sasamach, bheadh sé le maíomh againnne, Gaeil, nach teanga riachtanach an Béarla níos mó.

Synonyms

• Breatimeacht

Usage notes

• Sasamach has attracted publicity because of its clever form, but Breatimeacht is the word usually used in practice for Brexit, and is favoured in official sources (e.g. government, RTÉ).