Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
Parliamo Scots?
- Scots and Scotch
Here are ways in which the word "Scots" is used as an adjective.
- "Scots" - the name of the country is derived from the celtic Irish people who emigrated the 12 miles from Ireland to Argyll in the 5th and 6th centuries. The word "scoti" originally meant "bandits".
- "Scot free" - comes from an early municipal tax called "scot" which came from an old Norse word "skot" rather than "Scot". If you did not have to pay the tax you were "scotfree" (note no capital letter and all one word). In modern usage it is often used as "Scot free" meaning exempt from payment or unpunished.
- The exclamation "Great Scot" originated in America and refer to General Winfield Scott (1786-1866), probably due to his notorious fussiness and pomposity when he was a candidate for President.
- "Scots ell" - a Scottish yard of 37 inches.
- "Scots mile" - 1980 imperial yards (roughly 1810 metres) as distinct from the normal mile of 1760 yards.
- "Scots blanket" - a hard, rough blanket.
- "Scots pebble" - a semi-precious stone such as agate, found in hills and burns of Scotland.
- "Scots Greys" - a Scottish cavalry regiment.
- "Scots dyke" - an ancient earthwork which was constructed along part of the border with England.
Here are some phrases involving the word "Scotch" not all of which refer to the drink!
- "Scotch" - the water of life and Scotland's national drink. The word is never used to describe the people of Scotland - they are "Scots", not Scotch or Scotsman not Scotchman!
- "Scotch mahogany" - the wood of the alder tree which turns red when exposed to the light.
- "Scotch horses" - a line of children running with their arms linked behind their backs.
- "Scotch and English" - a children's game in which the two sides try to capture one another or an object.
- "Scotch cuddy" - literally a Scottish horse but used to describe a peddlar.
- "Scotch convoy" - accompanying a guest part or all of the way back home.
- "Scotch and flummery" - a steamed custard!
- "Scotch gravat" - a hug or a cuddle. "Gravat" can mean a woollen scarf - or a hangman's noose!
- "Scotch broth" - a soup made with barley and vegetables and lamb.
- "Scotch eggs" - hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat coated with egg and breadcrumbs and fried. A variation is "Scotch carrots" where boiled carrots are used instead of eggs.
- "Hop Scotch" - a children's game.
- "Scotch woodcock" - eggs and cream on anchovy toast.
- "Scotch fir" - the Scots pine tree which used to cover most of the Highlands.
- "Butterscotch" - a sweetmeat made of brown sugar, milk and creamed butter.
- "Scotch collops" - the word "collops" comes from the French "escallop" and so this dish is based on veal rolled in flour and cooked in butter.
- "Scotch haddock pudding" - a main course rather than a sweet, this is made from flaked haddock mixed with mashed potatoes, herbs and baked in the oven until golden brown.
- "Scotch trifle" - a sweet made from custard, sponge cakes, jam, sherry (and/or whisky or brandy) topped with sweetened cream, garnished with slivered almonds.
- "Scotch catch" - in music, a short note on the beat followed by a long one.
- "Scotch mist" - a thick drizzly mist often found in the Highlands.
- "Scotch kale" - a variety of kale with purplish leaves.
- "Scotch terrier" - a small, black, rough-haired terrier.
- "Scotch cap" - a bonnet.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?