The Sporran is a traditional part of Scottish Highland dress that essentially acts as a pocket when wearing a kilt. The word is rooted in the Gaelic “sporan” which means purse. Marine creatures like sharks and rays produce eggs which have a tough protective casing known as a mermaid’s purse as it can be written in Gaelic; sporan-bìgis.placeholder image
The Sporran is a traditional part of Scottish Highland dress that essentially acts as a pocket when wearing a kilt. The word is rooted in the Gaelic “sporan” which means purse. Marine creatures like sharks and rays produce eggs which have a tough protective casing known as a mermaid’s purse as it can be written in Gaelic; sporan-bìgis.

Scottish Gaelic you already speak: 17 English words linked to Gaelic that we use today

Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay

Search and Trends Writer

Published 27th Sep 2022, 09:21 BST
Updated 18th Jun 2023, 09:32 BST

Most Scots don’t speak Gaelic so they may think the language is fully disconnected from their vocabulary, but in actuality many everyday English words are connected to Scottish Gaelic.

Certain words that Scotland and the English-speaking world use today, while pronounced differently, have emerged from Scottish Gaelic (or via Irish Gaelic which is very closely related.)

It can be easy to think that Gaelic borrows from English, which in some cases is true as many modern European languages have adapted English words, but this overlooks how English takes from others.

Many languages Germanic, Latin, Greek, Norman French and Celtic in origin make appearances in what we know as English today. By way of Ireland, Gaelic was brought to Scotland around AD 500 meaning these words have Irish roots in common but certainly pass through Scottish Gaelic.

Learn about these words with Carl’s Lingo Kingdom (see attached video), or continue reading now for 13 English words that are connected to Scottish Gaelic.

Popularised by the hit TV series Outlander, the word is said to mean ‘Saxon’ and is used to refer to an Englishman in a disparaging manner. However, it has also been linked to Gaelic-speaking Scots who would use it to refer to non-Gaelic speakers in the lowlands. The LearnGaelic Dictionary defines ‘Sasannach’ as an English(man).

5. Sassenach

Popularised by the hit TV series Outlander, the word is said to mean ‘Saxon’ and is used to refer to an Englishman in a disparaging manner. However, it has also been linked to Gaelic-speaking Scots who would use it to refer to non-Gaelic speakers in the lowlands. The LearnGaelic Dictionary defines ‘Sasannach’ as an English(man). Photo: Submitted

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A ceilidh is a Scottish tradition which involves traditional dances and music played at a community gathering place, put as simply as possible it's like a 'Scottish party'. The Scottish Gaelic word "cèilidh" means "social gathering".

6. Ceilidh

A ceilidh is a Scottish tradition which involves traditional dances and music played at a community gathering place, put as simply as possible it's like a 'Scottish party'. The Scottish Gaelic word "cèilidh" means "social gathering". Photo: Gannet77 - Getty Images Signature

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"Smashing" is the catchphrase of the iconic cartoon character Nigel Thornberry who would say it to express delight or approval. In Scottish Gaelic, the phrase "'S math sin" (pronounced SMAH-shin) means 'excellent' or 'great' - it's thought to be the phrase's origin.

7. Smashing

"Smashing" is the catchphrase of the iconic cartoon character Nigel Thornberry who would say it to express delight or approval. In Scottish Gaelic, the phrase "'S math sin" (pronounced SMAH-shin) means 'excellent' or 'great' - it's thought to be the phrase's origin. Photo: The Wild Thornberrys Movie 2002 (Klasky Csupo/ Nickelodeon/ Paramount Pictures)

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Speaking of smashing, if you smash a vase it will break into smithereens - a word that scholars suspect originates from the Gaelic "smidiríní" which means "little bits". This is similar to the Scottish Gaelic word "smidean" which means "a very small bit".

8. Smithereens

Speaking of smashing, if you smash a vase it will break into smithereens - a word that scholars suspect originates from the Gaelic "smidiríní" which means "little bits". This is similar to the Scottish Gaelic word "smidean" which means "a very small bit". Photo: New Africa Studio via Canva Pro

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