Job Discussion Forums

[grahamb]

Yes, it's almost that time again, but why do so many people pronounce the "S" in "Syne" like a "Z"? It's an "S," and the word rhymes with "sign."
Simple.

[woza17]

Buggered if I know but I have 500 copies of the song all the lyrics and we are going to go full belt. I like the song and the sentiments especially that bit about a full cup.
Cheers carol

[dmb]

I blame the /sasInaks/ Anybody know how to spell it?

[dduck]

I think it's Sassenach, or Englishman.

Isn't the /s/ voiced because it occurs so close to the /ng/ in lang?

Iain

[dmb]

I'm sure that one of you intelligent bu**ers will set me straight. I am 100% Scottish(or Scotch, depending on where you are from) For my sins I am from Edinburgh. Does that, historically, make me a Sassinakythingymebob?

[grahamb]

Hailing from Edinburgh isn't necessarily a sin, unless of course you're a Jambo.
Sasunnach is indeed the Gaelic word for one of our southern neighbours, Sasunn meaning *ngl*nd. Contrary to popular belief, "Sasunnach" has no derogatory connotation. "FEB", however, is distinctly derogatory. For the uninitiated, it's an acronym. Say no more!
I see "buggered" still hasn't been added to the automatic censor's lexicon!

[dduck]

dmb, it depend who you talk to. People from Glasgow will give Edinbuggers a hard time, and vice versa. There are historically a variety of subcultures in Scotland. People in the South have obviously been influenced by England moreso that those in the Highlands. There is also the relatively recent 'Keltic' connection: Glasgow and Dundee (meh hametoon) received lots of Irish immigrants during the 19th century (largely due to the famine). If you back even further Scotland was the unification of Scots (Irish tribe), Picts, and don't-you-just-love-'em-to-bits Vikings - the Scots only became leaders of this country because of the Vikings.

Iain

[dmb]

iIonce heard that sasunnach was used to refer to anybody from south of the Forth and the Clyde.
Don't worry Grahamb I'm not a jambo. I'm a blue nose

[dduck]

As I explained, Sassunnach means Englishman, so obviously Highlanders consider the Lowlanders to be significantly more influenced by English culture, and thus a prefectly normal word is being used as an insult. Assuming that you're proud to be Scottish!

Iain

[scot47]

"Sassenach" historically is "Saxon", as in Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

It has come to mean an English-speaker. Some of the more benighted teuchters include speakers of Scots as "Sassenachs".

For the definition of "teuchter" go elsewhere.

[dduck]

I've read this elsewhere too; I find it i n c r e d i b l y s t u p i d! So Scots are Saxons, and Italian Americans are Saxons, and African English speakers are Saxons, and the English speaking first generation chinese schoolgirl from down the road is now after only 14ish year in Scotland has been magiked into a Saxon? Que mierda!

Scot47, if you'd be so kind as to provide some references to this usage. When I learned Gaelic, Sassen meant England not the English Speaking world, Alba meant Scotland. Who is making this up?

Iain

[scot47]

dd,

Words are slippery things. They change meaning as they get older.

The fact is that we are communicating in "Inglis" although neither of us come from England.

Check out the "Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue" and you will find the etymology of "Sassenach".

After all these years I still cannot adjust to being called "English" and have a kneejerk reaction to that perceived insult.

[khmerhit]

The Loch Ness Monster's Song

Sssnnnwhuffffll?
Hnwhuffl hhnnwfl hnfl hfl?
Gdroblboblhobngbl gbl gl g g g g glbgl.
Drublhaflablhaflubhafgabhaflhafl fl fl -
gm grawwwww grf grawf awfgm graw gm.
Hovoplodok - doplodovok - plovodokot - doplodokosh?
Splgraw fok fok splgrafhatchgabrlgabrl fok splfok!
Zgra kra gka fok!
Grof grawff gahf?
Gombl mbl bl -
blm plm,
blm plm,
blm plm,
blp

-- Edwin Morgan
http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/poems/215.html

[arioch36]

khmerhit,

If you come to china and sing that, you will be very popular. Is there somewhee I can download the song?

[dduck]