Some Misused Words.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 740, 19 April 1933, Page 6

Some Misused Words.

“A SOUTHLANDER” writes:—ls the word “ Scotch ” justified other than by usage (with no reference to whisky)? Should it not, in relation to an individual, be “ Scottish ”? No, there is no definite rule on the subject. Scotch and Scottish, Scotch and Scots mean the same. It is a matter of choice whether you say broad Scotch or broad Scots, although most people would prefer Scotch. Robert Burns, in his letters, seemed to prefer Scots and Scottish, for he writes of Scottish ancestors, a Scottish bard, and an old Scots air, but he was certainly not tied to these words, and he wrote a poem entitled “ Scotch Drink,” of which the second verse is: Oh thou my muse! Guid auld Scotch drink! Whether through wimplin’ worms thou jink Or, richly brown, ream owre the brink In glorious faem, Inspire me till I lisp and wink To sing thy name! Nowadays we would never think of varying “ Scotch whisky ” or “ Scotch broth,” although we speak of “ the Flying Scotsman.” TOUCHSTONE.