Rafia n. a derogatory name for the Provisional Irish Republican Army, a paramilitary and political group seeking the reunification of Ireland. Etymological Note: Republican Army + mafia ‘the Italian mob; a criminal organization.’ (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Rowan in Ottawa, Ontario, says her Irish mom used a puzzling word to indicate a sort of restless discontent not caused by anything in particular. It may be neamhchinnte, which means “uncertain” or “indecisive.” This is part...
Rose in Lebanon, Virginia recalls a phrase passed down from her great-grandmother: The night before the first day of school, parents would come into the children’s bedroom and say in a singsong voice: School butter, school butter. This...