Swiss, Switzerland, etc... It doesn't exactly describe a language, since Switzerland has four, and it doesn't seem to describe a particular ethnic group, either, since there are German Swiss, French Swiss, Italian Swiss, etc. There was a time before the nation of Switzerland existed... It was created by the union of various city-states of the Holy Roman Empire. So where did the words "Swiss" and "Switzerland" originate? What did it mean before the country came about, or was it an entirely new term altogether?
2007-01-23 13:31:28 · 6 answers · asked by Wicaco 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Swiss refers to a nationality. The word comes from the name of one of the cantons (Schwyz) that combined to oppose the Habsburgs. (A canton is similar to a state.)
2007-01-23 13:34:37 · answer #1 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from the back of a watch. It means cheese in german.
2007-01-23 21:35:20 · answer #2 · answered by rtbomb 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it goes before cheese
2007-01-23 21:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
"suisse" is what all of europe caleed it at one time
2007-01-23 21:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by hiding1959 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
swuiss maybe cheeze
2007-01-23 21:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by Marie-Claire R 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
switzerland...
2007-01-23 21:34:22 · answer #6 · answered by mason h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋