be v in form be's: [phonetics unavailable]. See EDD do III 2 (1) to do be 'to do habitually,' with A-I citations and O Sr Sx Co (possibly Irish labourers); ADD bes bees (1898-); JOYCE 86 do be, bees; DINNEEN bim and p. 1311 'habitual present'; Fortnightly Review O.S. xci (1909), 'The Irish Dialect of English,' p. 394. In forms be's and do be: to be in a state or situation for an unspecified duration of time; to continue; also auxiliary uses.
   [c1894] PANL P4/14, p. 198 In the fall of the year, when the wind do be from the southard, it do dismolish the stages down to nothing all to once. Ibid 201 'Taint no use to arg with the Poor Commissioner though he do be giving gov'ment to some as ain't so worse off as I be. 1903 DUNCAN 112 'Iss, girl, they do be violets now t' the Needle Rock.' 1920 GRENFELL & SPALDING 177 'Nearly all the female ladies what comes aboard her do be wonderful sick.' 1924 ENGLAND 181 'I be's wake, sir. I knows me own feelin's... I be's ahl bet out.' P 148-62 What will you do if he don't be there? P 148-63 [In hockey] you don't be on the ice for an hour. P 148-65 Don't be talking! [i.e. You don't say!] 1968 DILLON 131 I don't know whether he's moody or whether he does be vexed with me... What are them little things the buds bees on? T 727-68 There's a sunker over there, a sunken rock. You know when the water's high, that it be's under water, but when the water falls down low, the kelp comes [above] the water. 1968 KEATING 55 [The Japanese] do be good fishermen. 1979 Salt Water, Fresh Water 92 [The fishermen] don't be scared... It seems like these ghost ships they see is a good omen.

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