On another thread there is a reference to "Bóín Dé" literally "God's cows" but more usually known in English as "Ladybirds".

Now to the best of my knowledge the plural of "bó" is "ba". I have never heard of any other nominative plural other than "ba". Now, my question is does the plural "bóín" have any existence outside the context of ladybirds.

"Bóín" is not the plural but a diminutive form of "Bó".
The plural is "Bóíní Dé".

Thanks for clearing that one up, James. I'll assume your right. I can rest easily in my bed now.

I should have checked the dictionary first. Ó Dónaill gives "Bóin" as the diminutive of "bó" and the plural is "bóíní". My only doubt is in relation to "Bóiní Dé". I don't think I've ever seen it written down, and I'm not in a position to hear it. Also, I'm fairly sure I've seen "Bóin Dé" in the context of the plural, "Ladybirds".

bóín bain4 Dé

bó bain4 shamhraidh (in úsáid · in use)
bóín Mhac Dé (in úsáid · in use)
bóín bain4 shamhraidh (in úsáid · in use)
cearc bain2 Mhuire (in úsáid · in use)
ciaróg bain2 na mbeannacht (in úsáid · in use)
bó bain4 Dé (in úsáid · in use)

ladybird beetle s
ladybird s

focal.ie

I call them ladybugs (USA).

Saw the plural bóíní here but nowhere else:
http://www.cogg.ie/pdf/Eureka%202.23%20Irish.pdf

I saw this article on Wiki where the bug is described in both Irish and Russian as "God's little cow."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinellidae

quote:

In Irish, the insect is called bóín Dé — or "God's little cow" and in Welsh, the term buwch goch gota is used, containing the word 'buwch' meaning "cow"; similarly, in Croatian it is called Božja ovčica ("God's little sheep"). In France it is known as bête à bon Dieu, "the Good Lord's animal",[9] and in Russia, Божья коровка ("God's little cow"),[9] while in both Hebrew and Yiddish, it is called "Moshe Rabbenu's (i.e. Moses's) little cow" or "Moshe Rabbenu's little horse",

The use of "ladybird" instead of "ladybug" also explains the nickname of Ladybird Johnson, former first lady of the USa.

In German it is called Marienkäfer (Mary's Beetle)

(Message edited by aonghus on October 27, 2009)

Leppäkerttu, "Alder-Gertrude"

Hmm. "Gretel Ní Fearnóige" ;B)

Great to have AFB back online.

After poring into the wikipedia article, I must add... for leppäkerttu, "alderwarbler" or more archaic "bloodwarbler/blood-gertrude" is also possible.

"Ceolaire|Gretel Fearnóige|Fola" atá ann. B)
Chuardaigh mé an Foclóir Fionlainnis Béarla agus an t-alt ar Vicipéid go ró-deifreach. Mo botún, gabhaigí mo leithscéal.

(Message edited by curiousfinn on October 28, 2009)