Double Scotch

[Allen Crisp]

People from Scotland describe themselves as Scottish and dislike being called Scotch. What no-one has ever been able to explain to me is why this is so. You can have Scotch whisky, Scotch broth, Scotch eggs and even Scotch mist (or you could if there was such a thing). So why can't you have Scotch people?

[josiemac]

That would be because we were not fictional and we were not manufactured!

[josiemac]

Although the first known printed recipe appeared in a Scottish recipe book in the early 19th century, the general consensus is that the 'Scotch Egg' as we know it, may, in all probability, be a descendant of a form of Indian 'Kofta'. So there it was, in the written word that the 'Scotch Egg', in the opinion of many experts, did not originate from Scotland, but from India.

[Quizmonster]

In reference to people, 'Scotch' was used, regularly and quite happily, by Rabbie Burns - whose day I hope you all celebrated yesterday by drinking loads of 'Scotch' - as well as Sir Walter Scott, two of Scotland's major writers. The supposed dislike modern Scots have of the word in this context was really just an invention of the late 19th/early 20th centuries. There is no truly historical reason for it at all...it's just a harmless quirk. Humour us!

[sft42]

I can only agree with the previous respondents. Scotsmen/women dislike being called a name that is incorrect...scotch should only be used for goods and products not people....how would the forces of evil south of the border like it if we started to refer to them as "engmen"? HEY! that's an idea!!

[ravenhair]

Because we're not Scotch, we're Scottish. It's not that we're being especially pedantic, it's just not the right word in modern English.

[Waterwolf]

So this usage should be scotched, then? (Cue throwing of rotten tomatoes.)

[RCP]

Is everyone else on this site from Scotland (avoided making a decision on Scotch/Scottish there!)? Apart from American Mulberry. Incidentally I'm an Englishman living in Ireland - Is there a name for that?