ussun

See also: üşsün

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Eye dialect of us ones (we; us, dialectal), as a reference to us versus them (a state of opposition between two groups, mostly based on group membership), in mock imitation of a stereotypical parochial sectarian. Singular ussun is a back-formation from ussuns (plural). Compare themmun.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈʌsən/
  • Rhymes: -ʌsən

Noun

ussun (plural ussuns)

  1. (Northern Ireland, colloquial, chiefly humorous and in the plural) Someone on the same side of the Northern Irish sectarian divide (from the speaker's perspective).
    Antonym: themmun

Usage notes

  • Chiefly used in the plural ussuns to refer to the side the speaker is on collectively:
    Themmuns always get everything, and ussuns get nothing!
  • However, it can also be used in the singular or (definite) plural to refer to specific individuals:
    It depends. Is he an ussun or a themmun?
  • Generally used to mock sectarianism by framing both sides as cynical, arbitrary and nakedly self-interested, either to ridicule sectarian behaviour or to draw attention to the shared experiences of those on both sides of the conflict.
    If themmuns are for it, ussuns are against it!
    Well I had no choice - I had to vote for ussuns to stop themmuns getting in!