Wayne’s Word – Shrapnel

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is SHRAPNEL.

Shrapnel usually makes you think of metal fragments from explosions or war, but in Northern Ireland it has a much more harmless meaning, it can mean “loose change” or money in the form of coins. If someone says, “Have you any shrapnel for the parking meter?” they’re not being dramatic, they’re just looking for a few coins that you may have in your pocket.

It’s one of those everyday words that slips into your vocabulary without you even noticing, until you stop and realise how strange it must sound to anyone else. I often forget these little Northern Irish expressions exist but then out of nowhere one pops out in conversation and surprises me. Have you ever heard of shrapnel meaning loose change or coins?