Vocabulary in the News: St. Patty’s Day Parties at White House

Taken from: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0309/big_day_wednesday_36650cd8-6222-4f7d-9f10-ad7ecbd4a169.html

By AMIE PARNES

A White House aide tells POLITICO44 that Obama (O’Bama?) will be hosting two St. Patrick’s Day bashes at the White House Tuesday night.

The theme at the WH will be green all day. Starting at the top o’ the mornin’--or more like 11a.m. -- Obama and Joe Biden will meet with the Taoiseach of Ireland in the Oval Office. A little while later, they'll attend a Shamrock Ceremony in the Roosevelt Room.

After meeting with the Northern Ireland officials, Obama will travel to the Capitol where he will deliver remarks at Speaker Nancy Pelosi's St. Paddy's Day lunch.

Then, later in the evening, Obama will deliver the remarks at not one but two St. Patrick's Day receptions at the WH, where he's hosting Irish American lawmakers and other Irish Americans, a White House aide said.

St. Patty’s Day or St. Paddy’s Day (slang)	-	St. Patrick’s Day EX. Shall we go to the local Irish pub to celebrate St. Patty’s Day?
to host	-	to receive and entertain guests in a social or official setting EX. Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympic Games.
a bash (slang)	-	a celebration, a party EX. He planned a huge bash to celebrate his birthday.
top o’ the mornin’ (Irish slang)	-	early in the morning Good morning! EX. Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!
Taoiseach of Ireland	-	the head of government of Ireland, equivalent to a prime minister Ex. In a packed Dail chamber, Brian Cowen was elected Taoiseach of Ireland after a vote to choose between him, Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore.
to attend (faux ami)	-	to be present at EX. Many heads of state attended the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.
a shamrock		a small clover-like plant with three round leaves on each stem: the national emblem of Ireland
to deliver remarks	-	to make a speech or oration EX. Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. will deliver remarks on the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue to the World Affairs Council of Washington.
a reception	-	a social function, especially one intended to provide a welcome or greeting EX. After the wedding ceremony, there was a reception where a wedding cake and champagne were served.
a lawmaker	-	one who makes or enacts laws; a legislator such as a member of the US Congress or the Assemblée Nationale. EX. A lawmaker in California wants to force Google Earth and similar services to blur images of so-called “soft targets” like schools.