chor ar bith versus chóir a bheith

[Gríofa]

Are “chor ar bith” and “chóir a bheith” related or is it just a coincidence that they are so alike? Do chor and chóir lend to the meaning of these phrases or are these idioms?

An bhfuil ciall ar bith agat ar chor ar bith – Have you no sence what so ever?
Tá sé in am imeacht chóir a bheith – Its nearly time to go!

[Héilics Órbhuí]

I think it’s a coincidence. My (literal) interpretation of “ar chor ar bith” is something like “not at any turn”. “(de) chóir a bheith” is a little harder to put into literal English terms but the closest I can think of is something like “just its being”, i.e. it might as well be. Think of it as being somewhat related to “ba chóir”, i.e. “should”, i.e. would be proper/just. (disregard this italicized part – I stand corrected)

That’s just my way of thinking about them. Maybe a native could offer a better explanation, but they are really just idioms one has to learn.

[Labhrás]

(de) chóir (a bheith) is “almost”, “nearly” in English

Ó Donaill says it’s a different kind of cóir (= nearness) and not cóir (justice, equity)

[Héilics Órbhuí]

(de) chóir (a bheith) is “almost”, “nearly” in English

Yeah, I was just trying to break it down into more literal terms.

Ó Donaill says it’s a different kind of cóir (= nearness) and not cóir (justice, equity)

That makes more sense, yeah. I forgot that “cóir” had another meaning, since you don’t really see it used on its own in that sense.

[Cúnla]

(de) chóir (a bheith) is “almost”, “nearly” in English

Ó Donaill says it’s a different kind of cóir (= nearness) and not cóir (justice, equity)

Yeah, it’s actually the same word as comhair like in os comhair, faoi chomhair, i gcomhair, &c.

[Author]

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