Scotch

Whisky is a funny word, but so is Scotch. Let’s have a bit of fun with both.

We can’t even get the spelling of whisky straight, and even if we think there are rules, they get broken. Which is kind of appropriate given the subject matter.

Whisky, or whiskey, is the anglicisation of uisce beatha, old Gaelic for “water of life”. In Scotland the English spelling more or less standardized to whisky, in Ireland to whiskey. More or less.

The dichotomy carried over to the New World. Canada had a more pronounced Scottish immigration in the early days, as a result of which we prefer the spelling whisky. But those who took the craft of distilling to America were more likely of Irish origin, hence the American spelling tends to be whiskey, although some renowned American brands use whisky on the label. And here’s the really weird thing: US law (Federal Regulations Title 27 – Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms) uses the spelling “whisky”. Go figure.

So much for whisky. Or whiskey. Let’s talk about Scotch. Not the drink, but the people, or rather, the Scots.

The word “Scotch” has fallen into disuse and disfavour as an appellation for the mighty race of warriors from north of Gretna Green. It would seem that “Scot” and “Scots” were the preferred term until the English imposed “Scotch”, so as the Scots reassert control over their own destiny, the preferred noun is Scot, and the preferred adjectives are Scots or Scottish.

Other than the name of the drink, “Scotch” is mainly attached to place names. We live, for example, just a mile from the Scotch Line, so named because 200 years ago it was settled principally by Scots. Or the Scotch, as they were then known.

So “Scots” it is. Except for Scotch tape, Scotch oats, Scotch eggs, Scotch terriers, hopscotch, and of course, Scotch whisky, which term is fiercely and jealously protected at law by the Scots.
So, all that said, let’s raise a virtual dram of Scotch to Robbie Burns, whose day is tomorrow.