Translate “mo cuishle” from Million Dollar Baby
The movie Million Dollar Baby uses the term or endearment Mo cuishle (some spelling is “mo cushla”). This is and Irish Gaelic term of endearment. However, it is incorrectly spelt, the correct spelling being Mo chuisle.
Meaning
Mo chuisle literally means “my pulse”. It’s from a longer phrase: A chuisle mo chroí, which means “pulse of my heart”. It does not mean “my blood”. It’s an endearment. Normally when speaking TO the person, you would say “a chuisle“… you would only use “mo chuisle” when speaking OF the person.
The correct spelling is “Mo chuisle“.
Pronunciation
Mo chuisle
muh khwish-la
Literally: my pulse
Overall meaning: my darling
Mo chuisle mo chroí
mu khwish-la muh khree
The “kh” sound is throaty, like the “ch” in the Scottish “loch”.
Literally: pulse of my heart
Overall meaning: you’re the pulse of my heart
(when talking ABOUT the person)
A chuisle mo chroí
mu khwish-la muh khree
Literally: pulse of my heart
Overall meaning: you’re the pulse of my heart
(when talking TO the person)
A chuisle
a khwishla
Literally: pulse
Overall meaning: my darling (when talking TO your darling)
Shuana said,
June 28, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
Thanks so much for this info. My grandmother used to call us mo chuisle. I just had my baby shower last weekend and my sister had a little onesie made up that had mo chuisle printed on it. Needless to say I was reduced to tears. My big mouthed aunt had to say “No, that’s not correct.” Thanks for ruining the moment. It’s her role in the family. My sister assured her that it was the correct spelling because she had looked it up online. Wonder if she used your website? I had seen it used on the back of the Hilary Swanks robe in the movie and wasn’t sure if this was what my grandmother used to say or not since Gaelic isn’t the easiest language to pronounce. Thanks again.
Eoin said,
June 28, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
Hi Shauna, as we say here, the correct spelling is indeed “mo chuisle”. Unfortunately the film Million Dollar Baby used an incorrect spelling.
Lynn said,
August 5, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
I have another variant on this, “a chroi” (ah-REE), meaning my darling, or my heart, or also my heart’s beloved. I was just wondering if this is an older or different dialect?
maiya said,
September 5, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
i would like to thank you for putting up this page and giving the real spelling and definition of this wonderful word. My fiance is overseas right now in iraq and he had written me an email using the word mocushle but i guess its the wrong spelling compare to your spelling. He told me to find out what it means because that was his new nickname for me. NOw that i know what it means, it really makes me the happiest.
ill let him know of the correct spelling. again thank you.
ishprEEt said,
September 21, 2008 @ 6:55 am
thankSS.,.,., its such a charming word to use for sum1 u luv. now i knw wen and where to use it …
Jo said,
October 6, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
Surprised you didnt mention the bid man John Mc Cormick’s version of “Mo Cooshla” (spelling varient)…heres the youtube like… http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ92i188gXc
beautiful old song my late Dad used to sing to me when I was little…makes me cry every time
jazzy said,
March 23, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
So why would Clint Eastwood, the most brilliant person in the whole world, use a misspelt phrase? I don’t get it.
Lija said,
May 22, 2009 @ 11:52 am
I would like to thank u a lot.. My fiancee was in Ireland for Onsite project work for two years.
Whenever he needs to say how much he love me. He used this word and also at that time i haven’t seen the movie.
When i asked its meaning he told me to search in Net.
Now i know the meaning and his messages make my eyes moist..
Thank u so much
Mo Cuishle « Waynewj’s Blog said,
June 16, 2009 @ 1:46 pm
[...] darling, my blood.”, 不过真正的直译应该是“My pulse”(我的脉搏)，可以笼统理解成为“My darling.” [...]
Jensen Kannan said,
August 22, 2009 @ 5:21 pm
Clint used the misspelling on purpose. Given the minimal time the word was visible, and the lack of time available to explain Gaelic spelling/punctuation, that was the best way to add a visual to the chanting. At least this way, the word looks a little more like what the audience hears.
Battle Roy-ale and a weekend sweep | Red Phever said,
April 12, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
[...] as relatives came to visit the mo cuishle, I tried to watch as much of yesterday’s game, pitting new Phils ace Roy Halladay against the [...]