De wreck of de Hesperus

exp.

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The Hesperus was the doomed schooner in Longfellow's 1842 poem, The Wreck of the Hesperus. It is used as part of this phrase to describe someone who looks terrible. Wrecked is probably a shortened version of this.

In use

Were ye out all night on de tear or sumpin' cos yev a head like de wreck of de Hesperus!

Let Lawrence Muck translate it to posh English for you
Lawrence Muck

Oh, hello. Do mind the antiques. Would you like me to translate 'De wreck of de Hesperus' in use for you?

Were you out carousing all night, for you look like the wreck of the Hesperus!

  • Head wreckSomething intensely annoying, unsettling or mentally exhausting.
  • The wreck of the hespersIn a bad way physically.
  • Wreck er!Lets go out and have a good time.
  • Wreck the gaffAn expression used to indicate extreme behaviour, usually after the consumption of a…
  • Wreck the headAn annoying or tiresome person.
  • BuckyA popular alcoholic drink in Armagh and other Northern counties. Armagh is situated at…