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situation
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Any event whatsoever, from a queue to a crisis. In Northern Ireland nothing simply happens; there is a situation, and frequently a whole situation.
Standard English saves situation for circumstances that need describing. Northern Ireland deploys it as a verdict. A delay, a disagreement, a dog where a dog should not be: all situations. The word describes everything while admitting nothing, which is exactly the point; the details come out later, usually as a geg, with at least one person left scundered.
Situation in a sentence
Said flat, with no further detail offered. The less said, the bigger it was.
The dog got at the pavlova an hour before they landed in.
Two hen dos, one karaoke machine.
Somebody said the wrong name at the christening.
Common questions
What does situation mean in Northern Ireland?
Any event at all. A queue, a fall-out, a wasp at a barbecue: each one is a situation, reported with the same gravity.
What is a whole situation?
The escalated form. A situation got worse, involved more people, or acquired an audience.
Why do people say there was a situation?
Because it describes everything while admitting nothing. The full story comes out later, usually as a geg.
How do you use situation in a sentence?
"There was a situation at the buffet" or "it turned into a whole situation". Tone carries the detail.
Situations, manufactured
Mortified
The dignity-shredding party game.
Mortified is a party game that creates a situation every round: your name on the screen, the room writing answers in secret, the reveal pinning each one to whoever wrote it. One person buys, the whole room plays.
Sorting a games night? The games night guide has a game for every room.
See also
- geg /ɡɛɡ/ noun A laugh. What a situation becomes once enough time has passed.
- scundered /ˈskʌn.dəd/ adjective Mortified, embarrassed. The standard condition of whoever caused the situation.
Or browse the whole wee dictionary.
Charade!
The acting game, fed.
4–10 playersOne phone
Your charade
The last biscuit in the tin, defended
Deal a card, hand this phone to your victim, and they act it out in silence. Whoever guesses gets dealt next.
The Duel
Two of you. One kettle.
2 players60 seconds
Your duel
Alternate naming crisp flavours. First to blank makes the tea.
The stakes are traditional and non-negotiable. Best of three for the biscuits as well.
The Letter Round
Name things. Fast.
2–8 playersNo kit
Crisp flavours
Round the circle: things in the category starting with the letter. Hesitate, repeat or blank and you're out.
Who Goes First?
Settle it like adults.
Any numberZero arguments
Phone flat in the middle of the table.
Spin. The arrow picks. Losers are welcome to argue with physics.
The Hunt
Ten finds. Full pomp at the judging.
Pairs or solo20 minutes of peace
Your list
Deal a list, send the teams out, and tap each find as it lands on the judging table. The judge's decision is final and openly accepting bribes.
The Cracker
A joke and a forfeit in every one.
Whole table🎄 Seasonal special
Why did the snowman refuse the carrot? He already nose everything.