Celtic words for goose, waterfowl of the genus of the family Anatidae.
Words marked with a * are reconstructions.
| Proto-Celtic | *gezdā = goose |
|---|---|
| Old Irish (Goídelc) | géd = goose |
| Irish (Gaeilge) | gé [ɟeː] = goose gé ghlas = greylag goose (Anser anser) gé ghiúrainn = barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) cadhan = brent goose (Branta bernicla) gé Cheanadach = Canada goose (Branta canadensis) |
| Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) | gèadh [gʲiəɣ] = goose gèadh-glas = greylag goose cathach [ka.əx] = barnacle goose gèadh-got = brent goose gèadh Canadach = Canada goose |
| Manx (Gaelg) | guiy = goose guiy glass = greylag goose guiy twoaie = barnacle goose guiy breck = brent goose guiy Canadagh = Canada goose |
| Middle Welsh (Kymraec) | guit = goose |
| Welsh (Cymraeg) | gŵydd [ɡuːɨ̯ð / ɡʊi̯ð] = goose, simpleton gŵydd wyllt (gyffredin) = greylag goose, wild goose gŵydd (g)wyrain = barnacle goose gŵydd ddu brent goose gŵydd Ganada = Canada goose |
| Old Cornish | guit = goose |
| Cornish (Kernewek) | goedh = goose goth wyls = greylag goose, wild goose morwoth = barnacle goose goth mannow = brent goose goth kanada = Canada goos |
| Breton (Brezhoneg) | gwaz = goose gwaz louet = greylag goose, wild goose garreli dremm wenn = barnacle goose garreli boutin = brent goose garreli-Kanada = Canada goose |
Note: the types of goose mentioned here are commonly found in Celtic-speaking areas. Other types of geese are available.
Here’s a tune I wrote inspired by a couple of geese (pictured above) who used to live on the seashore in Bangor, and who I called Bertie and Gertie: Goosing Around / Gwyddio o Gwmpas
Sources: Wiktionary, Am Faclair Beag, MacBain’s Dictionary, In Dúil Bélrai English – Old-Irish Glossary, teanglann.ie, fócloir.ie, On-Line Manx Dictionary, Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, Gerlyver Kernewek, Dictionnaire Favereau, TermOfis
In Michigan, we have lots of Canadian geese. And when I say lots, I don’t mean “lots”. I mean, LOTS and LOTS. Not really sure why. They seem to like eating grass from people’s lawns. Michigan has a lot of in-land lakes, so that might be a draw for them, but even in places where there’s not much in the way of lakes or ponds, you can find them everywhere. They are lovely creatures and amazing flyers, and there are just too many of them. Michigan alone reportedly has a population of over 300,000 Canadian geese, and they can be quite a nuisance.
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79608_83071_83072_83445—,00.html