General
shoneen
What does shoneen mean?
Cutting Irish term for an Irishman who apes the English — the accent, the manners, the politics. Born in the colonial era as a serious insult for the 'West Brit' type. Still used, usually by republicans, for anyone seen as too eager to please the old empire.
"Putting on the cut-glass accent the second he crosses the Irish Sea — pure shoneen."
Origin
From Irish 'Seoinín' — little John (i.e. little John Bull), diminutive of Seán.
Frequently asked questions
What does shoneen mean?
A shoneen is an Irish person who fawns over English ways.
How do you use shoneen in a sentence?
"He's turned into a right shoneen since he moved over there."
Is shoneen offensive?
Yes, it's a disparaging term — it mocks an Irish person for slavishly imitating or admiring the English.
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