In English -- in parts of America, at least -- the word cousin is often used in direct address. Just as one might address his brother as such, so too might one address his cousin.

Is this common in Irish? It would seem that calling someone 'col' might evoke some rather negative connotation and 'col ceathrair' or 'col seisir' seems rather awkward. Also would col be lenited as 'a chol?'

quote:

Is this common in Irish?

I've never heard nor read a relationship used as a form of address. I suspect this is German influence in the U.S. (Although the habit has passed out of speech in Germany, it is common in literature)

Never came across this either in Irish (but then I'm not a native speaker.)

A somewhat strange one from the older generation though is 'We're friends' used to mean ' we are cousins'. Maybe it comes from muinteartha.

You might hear "a dheartháir" - brother but not "cousin".

You might indeed, and I believe no blood relationship is implied. You will certainly hear "a mhic" used in this way (where in (esp. Cork) English you might hear "boy" being used)

"a dheartháir", "a dheirfiúr", is used to non- relatives and also "a mhac(sic)"(in Conamara), but not "col".
Actually I've never heard "col" used on it's own. It's either col ceathrar, col cúigear srl

A mhac,a mhic,I wonder could this account for the Liverpool term 'wack' - used as a form of address for friends and workmates? I never heard it used anywhere else in the UK.

"W[h]acker" is a common nickname in Dublin.