LL-L "Etymology" 2004.05.02 (03) [E]

[Lowlands-L]

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A=Afrikaans Ap=Appalachian B=Brabantish D=Dutch E=English F=Frisian
L=Limburgish LS=Lowlands Saxon (Low German) N=Northumbrian
S=Scots Sh=Shetlandic V=(West)Flemish Z=Zeelandic (Zeêuws)
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From: Sandy Fleming <sandy at scotstext.org>
Subject: "Names" [E]

> From: sam s claire <gamlhs at juno.com>
> Subject: LL-L "Names" 2004.05.01 (01) [E]
>
> Sandy:  As I understand, --scot-free-- has nothing to do with the Scots
> but does derive from the Old French 'escot,' a payment.  Hence, getting
> off scot-free means that one has contributed his part of a common debt
> and is free of the obligation.

It's the curse of the amateur etymologist again!

I got the idea from a couple of 19th century Scots writings.

One is T Whyte Paterson's THE WYSE-SAYINS O' SOLOMON, THE SON O' DAUVID,
KING O' ISRAEL at
http://scotstext.org/makars/t_whyte_paterson/the_wice_sayins_o_solomon.asp#chapterxii

"An ill-airtit word may sune sen' agley an ill-hairtit man;
"But the guid are mair siccar, an' gang yont scart-free."

The other is from William Tennant's PAPISTRY STORM'D Sang Fourth at
http://scotstext.org/roughs/william_tennant/papistry_stormed_4.asp

"They were sae casd in weirlike graith,
"Scart-free and haill they scapit baith:"

I can see now the idea that it's from "escot" is far more likely. I suppose
it's possible that the term "scot-free" got corrupted to "scart-free" in
Scots, rather than the other way round.

> From: Tom Maguire <jmaguire at pie.xtec.es>
> Subject: LL-L "Names" 2004.05.01 (01) [E]
>
> Hello All,
>
> In spite of admitting an unusual reverence for Sandy's opinion on
> Lowland Scots linguistic questions, I have a couple of comments on the
> use of "Scotch".
>
> "Scottish" or "Scots" is more acceptable than "Scotch" when referring to
>   people because that is how many of the people involved want it. (Don't
> call for a referendum, please.)
>
> The people who are involved by the word probably don't give a .... what
> others want to call them in their own particular dialect. Why should
> they? However, they don't want to be called "Scotch" just because
> someone at the BBC or CNN is ignorant.

Ignorant in what way? Why is it ignorant to say "Scotch"?

This isn't a term that's been used as an insult historically (like "nigger"
or "sassenach"). It's not a term based on a geographical misconception (like
"England" for the UK or "Russian" for all residents of the old USSR). It's a
perfectly ordinary English word that Scottish teachers tell Scottish
children is wrong, without giving any reason.

Or perhaps your teachers explained it better than mine? Could you explain
where the hidden insult or misconception in the word is?

Sandy
http://scotstext.org/

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