2006-10-10 05:47:00 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
We've heard repeatedly that Sassenach has its origins in the Celtic word for Saxon, used by the Celtic Scots. As the Saxons settled mainly in areas of what is now England, it has become synonymous with the definition of "the English", and is used disparagingly to indicate that these people are not of Celtic origin, and so have no understanding of all the things the Celtic mind held dear.
Interestingly, a fact that hasn't been mentioned is that the same word pretty much exists in Welsh - Saesan. The English. The English language is Saesneg. And for many years, though not now with such frequency despite the maddening resurgence of the Welsh language, "the Saes" was a term in Wales equally as disparaging as the "Sassenach" of the Scottish.
2006-10-12 00:28:38 · answer #1 · answered by mdfalco71 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sassenach is a word used chiefly by the Scots and to designate an Englishman or a Lowlands Scot. It derives from the Gaelic Sasunnach meaning, originally, "Saxon". The modern Scottish spelling is 'Sasannach'. As employed by Scots or Scottish English-speakers today it is usually used in jest, as a (friendly) term of abuse. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) gives 1771 as the date of the earliest written use of the word in English.
2006-10-10 05:53:57 · answer #2 · answered by luvablechic4eva 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sassenach is a word used chiefly by the Scots and to designate an Englishman or a Lowlands Scot. It derives from the Gaelic Sasunnach meaning, originally, "Saxon". The modern Scottish spelling is 'Sasannach'. As employed by Scots or Scottish English-speakers today it is usually used in jest, as a (friendly) term of abuse. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) gives 1771 as the date of the earliest written use of the word in English.
2006-10-10 06:19:35 · answer #3 · answered by catdyer2005 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Scottish used this term and it means Outlander, or outsider. Someone from outside their clans or lands. It also meant Englishman to the Scots.
2006-10-10 06:47:27 · answer #4 · answered by The Mystic One 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lowlander - somebody from Dumfries and Galloway
2006-10-10 07:55:20 · answer #5 · answered by lovelylexie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the dictionary it means:
"an English inhabitant of the British Isles: used, often disparagingly, by the Gaelic inhabitants."
2006-10-10 05:53:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
yes sas'e-nab, a Saxon, an Englishman; a Lowlander, (Gael,Sasunnach)
2006-10-10 23:03:54 · answer #7 · answered by pixie007 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means an Englishman and is from the Irish/Gaelic meaning Saxon.
2006-10-10 05:51:14 · answer #8 · answered by migdalski 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Its the name of a band also....they play Celtic music apparently...xx
2006-10-11 01:19:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's gaelic and means outlander
2006-10-10 05:55:31 · answer #10 · answered by jamie F. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋