Aul wan

n.

Heard in Kilkenny and Donegal

One's mother, spoken with affectionate familiarity in the vernacular.

In use

See that battleaxe over there, that's me aul wan!

Posh English

Observe that formidable lady over there, for she is my mother.

Same phrase, other counties

  • Th' aul wan/fellaA colloquial term for one's mother or father, often used to denote their parental…
  • WanOne. Can mean the number one I.e. might simply be a mis-pronunciation of "one" or could…
  • Aul bagAn older woman, especially one's mother.
  • Aul dollOne's mother.
  • Aul lassOne's mother; sometimes extended affectionately to aul lassy.
  • Aul oneOne's mother.