DCHP-3

ree-raw

< Irish rí-rá
DCHP-2 (Mar 2014)

Spelling variants:
red raw, reerah,

1n. — Newfoundland

a state of disorder or confusion.

Type: 2. Preservation — The term ree-raw describes a state of confusion or disorder (see the 2010 quotation). Clarke (2010b: 108) lists the term under the semantic category of "human behavior"; thus, the definition of 'uproar, racket, hullabaloo' can be seen in light of noise or commotion, particularly caused from drinking alcohol (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw"). Ree-raw is said to derive from the Irish Gaelic word "rí-rá" (Clarke 2010b: 108), defined as 'fuss, confusion, reckless merriment' (Dinneen 1927: 892). Although use of ree-raw in Newfoundland English likely derives from the Irish contribution, as a result of 18th and 19th century immigration to the province from southeast Ireland, EDD (s.v. "reel-ral" (1)) and OED-3 (s.v. "ree-raw" (A)) also mark the term as Scottish. See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" and EDD, s.v. "reel-ral", which is marked "Sc. Irel. and Nfld."

Quotations

1863
MORETON 30 Reerah. Any uproarious noise.
1883
Nor is it at all probably that any improvement in this particular will take place while the present 'ree-raw; haphazard, irresponsible system of things continue. 'System,' did we say? Why there's no 'system' about it! The whole apothetic is a mere atheistical chaos of atoms - 'simply that and nothing more!'
1947
Does your clock sometimes be random? Were you ever in a tear? Does your house be in a ree-raw? Do you find things shockin' dear? Or were you ever real put out? Did you ever notch a beam? If you're not a Newfoundlander You don't know what I mean.
1987
Nfld LifeStyle June, p. 54 We all swapped news of each other and everybody talked at the same time. What a ree-raw!
2010
"Oh, ma'am, you must not fash yourself. We are fortunate. Mr Jarvis put our belongings into the horse shed at the tavern. And he give [sic] me a slip of paper so as we can claim them when this ree raw gets sorted out."
2adj. — Newfoundland, obsolete

to be eager.

Type: 2. Preservation — The term red-raw describes the state of being eager, or having a "keen appetite" (see the 1937 quotation). For example, players could be red-raw to play a game (see the 1936 quotation). It is said to derive folk etymologically from meaning 1 with phonetic adaptation of the vowel and the introduction of the consonant (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (2)).
See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (2).

Quotations

1936
We opened the Club on Bonfire Night, November 5th, all members being present and "red raw" for a game of billiards, a great change from hauling a cod-trap.
1937
RED RAW. Eager to begin. With a keen appetite.
3expression, in the phrase on the ree-raw — especially Newfoundland, obsolete

to take action quickly, with little preparation.

Type: 2. Preservation — The phrase on the ree-raw is used to describe actions carried out with little preparation or planning (see DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (4)). The earliest Canadian attestation of the expression comes from an Albertan source, from a list of synonyms for the state of intoxication (see the 1907 quotation), which suggests that the term was found in Canada outside Newfoundland early in the 20th century.
See also DNE, s.v. "ree-raw" (3).

Quotations

1907
He is half seas over, three sheets in the wing, on his beam ends, under the influence of the weather, in his cups, in his pots, over the bay, in the clouds, up in the air, off his trolley, off his nut, off his base, he has been out with the boys, off on a bat, on a drunk, on a spree, on a racket, on the ree-raw, on the rampage, he is feeling his oats, he is full of mountain dew (whisky), full of the cream of the valley (gin), full of dope, full of slops, full of forty-red booze, full of Jersey lighting, full of tanglefoot, full of bug juice, he is as full as a tick.
1937
DEVINE 41 I had to take up the job right on the ree raw.

References

  • DNE
  • Clarke (2010b)
  • Dinneen (1927)
  • OED-3
  • EDD