Dermot Earley. Army man.

As recently as a few Sundays ago I heard it said. I was remarking that Eoin Larkin's legs looked a little lacking in condition when his wasp-like socks were pulled up. My father nodded, agreed and then he said it. Army man. Then I said it, quietly, under my breath. My earliest recollection of it ever being said was in reference to former Dublin captain Tommy Carr. What does it mean though? And is my old man the only one who utters it?

It's Dalton not Walton. John Dalton.

For many years I was a fan of comedian Tommy Tiernan. I still am to a degree but in recent times the man who stands up for a living, the man who has offended more Irish people than any other 'funny man' on the circuit has tended to use a lot of foul language in his routine. Unnecessary language in my opinion. Why? That's what I'd ask him if I happened to be standing behind him in the queue in, let's say, Supermac's on Westmoreland Street.

My initial thinking was that it was language the Navan native used everyday so it made no odds to him to bring it on stage. However, not everyone is comfortable with 'potty talk' or 'the language of the snooker hall' as my parents used to refer to it. In hindsight I don't blame them.

So why use it? Why would Tommy Tiernan use it?