Meanings
- IrelandarchaicAn expression of surprise.
‘Musha, God be with them times!’ said the old man. ‘There was some life in it then.’
1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “Ivy Day in the Committee Room”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 1494 more examples
Well, here now, here's five hogs to begin with; and, musha, but I never thought I'd be spending my loose change that way.'
1841, Charles Lever, Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 1 (of 2)"O then, musha! but isn't it a glad sight for my ould eyes to see your own silf undher my roof?"
1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 379When her neighbour, Mrs. Ryan, looked in, she could not forbear mentioning the expected call, and was further elated because Mrs. Ryan at once remarked: "Sure, 'twill be Bessy he's after," though she herself, of course, disclaimed the idea, saying: "Och musha, ma'am, not at all."
1895, Barlow Jane, Strangers at LisconnelOch! musha bedad, man alive, but it's a fine counthry over here, and it bangs all the jewel of a view we do be havin' from the windys, begorra!
1901, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Penelope's Irish Experiences - IrelandironicoftenAn expression of sympathy.
Origin
- Irishmuise
- Englishmusha
Borrowed from Irish muise; perhaps originally a minced oath for Muire (“Mary”).
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Cite this entry
musha. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/musha
“musha.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/musha. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “musha,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/musha.
Source: musha on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.