Kathleen Mavourneen

Definitions

indefinite; which may not have an end for years, if ever

attributive

Examples

“There is a sort⟳ of loan with which I have⟳ been made familiar that might be called a Kathleen Mavourneen loan — it may be for a year and it may be forever, but the promises made by the Huguenots were for a year and were forever and were redeemed every day.”

“And now, thought I, as I recovered Alf's saddle and bridle, heaven grant that that parting may be a Kathleen Mavourneen one; and let⟳ me have⟳ some other class of difficulty to deal⟳ with next time.”

“[I...] thank⟳ the Prime Minister for his remarks, which were very clear; but it does sound⟳ very much to me like⟳ a Kathleen Mavourneen proposition. The eventual removal will take⟳ place⟳, but when is a question⟳ that no one can answer⟳ as yet. It will be done some time in the future.”

“The Hon. F. R. H. Lavery: That is a Kathleen Mavourneen undertaking. The Hon. A. F. GRIFFITH: It is not. The Hon. F. R. H. Lavery: Past experience⟳ has shown that so many things have⟳ been promised but have⟳ not eventuated.”

“[...] and rode to varsity on a bike, which was considered 'infra dig⟳.' for nice girls. Not that she cared about appearances. She earned extra money when she could and in her third year had a ‘Kathleen Mavourneen’ loan arranged through the registrar. ‘Kathleen Mavourneen’? The tag had currency from an Irish song popular at community sings, with the punch line ‘It may be for years and it may be for ever.’ Such a loan was interest-free, but Kath wasn't the sort⟳ to leave⟳ it for ever.”

CEFR level