Kathleen Mavourneen

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun

English

Etymology

With reference to the popular Irish ballad Kathleen Mavourneen, which includes the line ‘it may be for years, and it may be for ever.’

Pronunciation

IPA: /ˌkæθli:n mə'vɔ:ni:n/

Noun

Kathleen Mavourneen

1. (Australian slang) an open-ended prison sentence