Nah, that’s something different. I was referring to Nixon’s use of the term “Scotch-Irish” to mean the people of Northern Ireland (the Protestant people that is). I was pointing out that the term “Scotch-Irish” is an Americanism and one which will normally provoke a sharp correction from the people it is meant to describe (who, of course, consider themselves British). It isn’t to do with the language at all.
AAhhhhh, I see. looking at the spelling, Scotch-Irish to me is Mixing your whiskys.
J
Krusty Opinionated told me to use American Swear words. so I will.
“Bite Me”
Scotch-irish is a term that refers to Protestant Irish that usually came from the Ulster area. It is the proper spelling. Modern Scottish folks dislike the use of the word scotch when referring to their nationality, since scotch to them is a drink, or food.
Scotch-irish however is used for people from the Ulster area of Ireland that prefer to trace their roots back to the Plantation period of Ulster, when many Scots were brought in by the Crown to supplant the
Irish Catholics.
Exactly when the term came into popular use I am not sure, depends what you use for a source.
I am a bomb technician, if you see me running, try to keep up!!!
<Oh, and this is really a minor point, but Bloody Sunday was in 1972, not 1969 as stated earlier.>
And it wasn’t the first one, either.
Bah, I meant to reply to the date correction on Bloody Sunday. But that’s what I get.
Kit
— James G. Leyburn, The Scotch-Irish, A Social History
On a lighter note, this has been making the rounds lately:
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road? (Northern Ireland edition)
Sinn Fein: That would be a matter for the chicken. Sinn Fein and the chicken are not part of the same organisation, although we share some ideals in common. If there are presently any chickens in Sinn Fein, we are not aware of it.
Orange Order: The chicken is entitled to walk in a peaceful manner on the Queen’s Highway. It’s a traditional route. Anyone who tries to deny the chicken his rights to walk on the road will find the road blocked at both ends until the chicken is allowed to walk in a dignified and non-threatening manner, with accompanying bands as necessary.
IRA: On behalf of the people of Ireland, we reserve the right to defend the roads of this island against the chicken. For 800 years, the Irish people have resisted the imposition of chickens by force of arms and shall continue to do so until the chicken is expelled from our land. Anyone collaborating with the chicken, or assisting or enabling the imposition of road crossing by chickens, will be deemed legitimate targets in our struggle against tyranny.
UFF: We, the loyal defenders of Ulster roads, reserve our right to retaliate against any precipitate hostile actions by the chicken. We shall meet force with deadly force. A donation to the Loyalist Prisoners Association will ensure free passage of the chicken with respect to the road and the crossing thereof, till the same time next month anyhow( by which time the other question - whether chickens have kneecaps or not - should be resolved).
UUP/SDLP Joint statement: We believe that only by working together in unison, and with the majority of the people of this island, the British and Irish Governments, and our friends overseas behind us, can we find the answer to this complex question. If we do not, or cannot, then our children will rightfully ask us the question, “So why did the chicken cross the road?”
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: While not normally commenting on security matters, Her Majesty’s Government feels it is right and proper, in this instance, to make a statement on this affair. Members of the Special Air Services involved in a covert anti-terrorist operation at 8.42 this morning observed the chicken attempting to cross the road . As the chicken was approached by one of the personnel involved, it was seen to make a threatening movement and action was therefore taken to nullify that threat. It has not been fully ascertained why the chicken was crossing the road, and it is unlikely that we will now discover its motive.