A fresh edition of The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook is currently in preparation with a new section on Derry Girls and a chapter featuring the favourite ‘Derryisms’ of internationally acclaimed Derry ‘wans’.

The updated tome will be a fitting tribute to the original author of the compendium Seamus McConnell, who sadly passed away in 2010.

The last iteration of the much-loved publication appeared during Derry’s City of Culture year in 2013.

Work is continuing on a full-colour 2026 edition that will bring Derry’s unique phraseology into the era of the Derry Girls.

Hugo McConnell says a new edition of The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook will hit the shelves soon.

placeholder image — Hugo McConnell says a new edition of The Wile Big Derry Phrasebook will hit the shelves soon.

Seamus’ brother Hugo explains: "It will be fully updated in terms of any new phrases that have come into the Derry vernacular now. They will be in there as well.

“We are delighted to have been given full permission from Lisa McGee to use phrases from the Derry Girls scripts.”

A brand new section on ‘Celebrity Phrases’ beloved of well-known Derry ‘wans’ is promised.

“We have Dana. We have Phil Coulter. We have James McClean. We have a list of celebrities who are going to pick their favourite Derry phrase so that is going to be new. The book is almost ready to go to press. We are just waiting on a few more celebrity phrases to come in,” Hugo adds.

Rachael McConnell Doherty, daughter of the late author, Seamus McConnell, pictured with Seamus brother, Hugo McConnell at the launch of the 2013 edition of The Wile big Derry Phrasebook. (0108SL21) Photo: Stephen Latimer

The publication is a collaboration with Richard Moore’s Children in Crossfire charity with a percentage of the sales going towards the Derry headquartered organisation.

The book’s imminent reappearance will, of course, keep the memory of its original creator alive.

"It's a nice tribute to Seamus,” says Hugo. That's what it is all about.”