word “Shillelagh” in English, was in 1755, in Thomas Sheridan's The Brave Irishman the expression there is used side to side with "Andreaferrara", used by the protagonist to refer to his sword in the same manner as he refers to "Shillela", further relating the Irish fighting stick to broadsword fencing. Again, this explanation can be found in many different Ango-centric sources from the 18th and 19th centuries, and is therefore the most popular one in English. The other explanation is well documented in Irish language texts. For example, Gaelic scholar and native Irish speaker Patrick S. Dinneen in the 1927 edition of his Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla dictionnary. notes that Sail Éille means "thonged cudgel", and explains that it was later anglicised as shillelagh. Dineen was actually born and raised at a time when stick-fencing was still actively practiced in his home area. The first use of the word “sail” for cudgel goes back thousands of years so other native Irish speaking linguists have repeatedly confirmed Dineen’s explanation for the origins of the word throughout the years. That definition has been dismissed only by Maxime Chouinard a French Canadian, who is noticeably not fluent in Irish and prefers the Anglo-centric explanation. Common woods used to make sticks included Blackthorn, oak, ash and hazel were traditionally the most common types of woods used to make shillelagh fighting sticks. The style is mostly characterized by the use of a cudgel, or knobbed stick, of different lengths but most often the size of a walking stick or small club. The stick is grabbed by the third of the handle end, the lower part protecting the elbow and allowing the user to maintain an offensive as well as defensive guard. This grip also allows launching fast punching-like strikes. History The Irish have used various sticks and cudgels as weapons of self-defence for centuries. As with most vernacular martial arts, it is difficult to establish the origin of the art. The art certainly goes back to prehistory and possibly was widespread in the Bronze Age when metal was highly precious yet sticks were easily obtained. Weapons similar to shillelagh are described in various sources including heroic tales such as The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel and were also popular all over Europe It would truly begin to catch the attention of writers in the 18th century. The shillelagh is still identified with Irish popular culture