What does the term Gombeen actually mean and where did it originate from?

Bottle_of_Smoke · 10-12-2010 11:00am #1

Been hearing this name being thrown about a lot recently. That and 'Parish Pump' politics - but the latter seems to be around longer.

Is gombeen just another term like "general amadan" or does it have a specific meaning?

I'm guessing it means politicians getting voted in nationally for local reasons but it seems to be applied to any act of idiocy nowadays.

Tom Cruises Left Nut · 10-12-2010 11:01am

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

Cookie_Monster · 10-12-2010 11:01am

self centred and inept is what I take it as meaning

biko · 10-12-2010 11:02am

Its origin is the Irish word "gaimbín", meaning monetary interest.

Tom Cruises Left Nut · 10-12-2010 11:02am

A Gombeen Man is a pejorative Hiberno-English term used in Ireland for a shady, small-time "wheeler-dealer" or businessman who is always looking to make a quick profit, often at someone else's expense or through the acceptance of bribes. Its origin is the Irish word "gaimbín", meaning monetary interest.[1] The term referred originally to a money-lender and became associated with those shopkeepers and merchants who exploited the starving during the Irish Famine by selling much-needed food and goods on credit at ruinous interest rates.

From Wikipedia

DrumSteve · 10-12-2010 11:07am

Gombeen is a loose translation of "Jackie Healy Rea". Back in olden times he would be the go to guy to get stuff fixed i.e. a pothole or a sheep, in exchange for your vote. Kind of like Robert Mugabe. Gombeen men differ from normal humans in that they:

a)are usually found to be without spines (or any sort of Backbone altogether)
b)have the mental ability of a bird table
c)represent the worst stereotypes of their community

Gombeen men are dispersed evenly across the country but if you are looking you could do no worse than North Dublin, Tipperary and South Kerry. It's best to maintain your distance and if you find yourself in contact with them, whatever you do, do not lose eye contact with them. They have a habit of weaseling... this will allow them to escape and you may not find them again until the next election.