`     It seems to me we are discussing a book  Herr Verklempt and Mr. Baker, Esq., refuse  to read.   But then they couldn't have an opinion since they are not a professional linguists.   But they have an amateur opinion on Cassidy's book without reading it.   That is known as baloney.     ``How can Irish people understand the origins of American English? `` They are Irish after all. They just speak English and Irish. Of course, there are only 40 million Irish-Americans in the US. Why would they have any influence on American English?  Attack the person's credentials: ``Cassidy is not a teacher or faculty member, he's an adminsitrator;`` Ooops, Cassidy is tenured faculty at New College in san Francisco. Question the publisher's legitmacy and politics, etc. He's a lefty, a pinko...etc.    Hmmmm, sounds like the Bush administration or the Neocons or right wing Christian Fundamentalists.   You criticize Professor Lee and Scally because  they are  Irish Studies scholars.   Who do you want judging Cassidy's book.   If a book claimed a significant Yiddish influence on American English would you ignore all Yiddish and Jewish Studies Scholars?  Mr. Verklempt, you are not a mensch, you are a shlamozzle who wants to be a macher on Wikipedia.   Mr. Baker, you are a  Securities lawyer and not a professional linguist. You know lucre (luach oir) and moolah (moll oir). Go in peace and sponduliks.   Beir beannacht,  Medhb`