what is the derivation of the word hogmanay?

Answer 1

thats funny really. up until 2days ago, i would ask the same question. Hogmanay, as far as i can remember, is the Scottish New Year Festival that lasts for 3 days, 30th, 31st and New Years Day. This is where everyone gets hammered on the city streets and celebrates New Years.
You cant jus say, 'its a New Years party in Scotland', it would all its cultural value. Hogmanay, is very culture related.
However, the French derive this word and give it a similar semantic meaning.
Hope this was a little helpful.
Id say search the term in google, or wikipedia. :)

Answer 2

From Wikipedia:

"The etymology of the word is obscure. It may have been introduced to Middle Scots through the Auld Alliance. In 1604 the custom was mentioned in the Elgin Records as hagmonay. The most satisfactory explanation is a derivation the from Northern French dialect word hoginane or variants such as hoginono and hoguinettes. Those being derived from 16th century Old French aguillanneuf which is either a gift given at New Year, a children's cry for such a gift or New Year's Eve itself. The second element would appear to be l'an neuf i.e. the New Year. Compare those to Norman hoguinané and the obsolete customs in Jersey of crying ma hodgîngnole, and in Guernsey of asking for an oguinane, for a New Year gift."

Check the link for additional possible derivations.

Answer 3

Derivation unknown.