I´m from Germany! Can you explain me the word, please?
I don´t find it in a dictionary!
2006-10-14 00:16:53 · 18 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
So, it is a swearword? :-o
2006-10-14 00:21:10 · update #1
its the scottish word for an englishman and its not meant as a compliment
2006-10-14 00:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The English equivalent of the Gaelic Sassenach is Saxon, the welas (Welsh) is Seisnig. So Germans could technically be called Sassenachs as well. The Sex in Sussex is the same = South Saxons.
This are different Celtic languages and is not really English. Few Celtic words come into English.
One of them is brogue.
2006-10-14 07:33:30 · answer #2 · answered by Perseus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Noun : Sassenach - the Scots' term for an English person
English person - a native or inhabitant of England
References in classic literature
They tell me - the Sassenach tell me - that in time I shall be able without a blush to make Albert say 'darling,' and even gather her up in his arms, but I begin to doubt it; the moment sees me as shy as ever; I still find it advisable to lock the door, and then - no witness save the dog - I 'do' it dourly with my teeth clenched, while the dog retreats into the far corner and moans.
Margaret Ogilvy by Barrie, James Matthew
2006-10-14 07:27:20 · answer #3 · answered by the_rip_roaring 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definition: Sassenach
Sassenach
Noun
1. The Scots' term for an English person.
2006-10-14 07:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by a cottage by the sea 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It actually means "lowlander", not an English person. An example of this is people from Edinburgh and Aberdeen, who live in the lowlands of Scotland might be referred to as "sassenachs" by someone who lives in the highlands of Scotland (i.e. someone from Wick, Inverness or other highland towns). It's not exactly a swear-word, but it is seen as an insulting term.
2006-10-14 11:27:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sasenach is an ancient scottish word meaning Southern. Often incorrectly used to describe English people, was originally used by the scottish to describe people living just north of the English Scottish border
2006-10-14 09:22:59 · answer #6 · answered by chrisbarnes110671 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the Gaelic word for English - as in English person. It is used pejoratively when speaking English to indicate the perceived superiority of the Scots over their neighbours. The Welsh equivalent is "Sais", which has the same meaning.
It is not a swear word!
2006-10-14 09:12:14 · answer #7 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, it's not a rude word; at most it's very mildly derogatory and is used in good tempered banter. It's a Gaelic word used by the Scots, and it means English person.
2006-10-14 07:30:06 · answer #8 · answered by pompeii 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a Scottish term meaning Englishman. It is also a derogatory term. Many Scots don't like the English
2006-10-14 07:19:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
It means "outlander" in gaelic... it's not a nice way to refer to someone who is not scottish... unless its being used as a term of endearmen by one of the main characters in the novel "Oulander"
2006-10-14 14:07:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anacapa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋