Aul wan

n.

Heard in Donegal and Kilkenny

One's mother, or an affectionate yet irreverent term for an older woman.

In use

Run in and ask the aul wan for a few bob for the chipper la.

Posh English

Pray run inside and request some pocket money for the chip shop from my mother.

Same phrase, other counties

  • Th' aul wan/fellaA colloquial term for one's mother or father, often used to denote their parental…
  • Aul bagAn older woman, especially one's mother.
  • WanOne. Can mean the number one I.e. might simply be a mis-pronunciation of "one" or could…
  • Owld wanAn older woman, typically a mother or a local matriarch.
  • Aul ladOne's father or an older man of acquaintance.
  • Aul dollOne's mother.