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.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.
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

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.
Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay
Published 27th Sep 2022, 09:21 BST
Updated 18th Jun 2023, 09:32 BST

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.

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.

"Phoney" refer to an object or person who is not true or sincere and this derives from the Gaelic word "fàinne" which means "ring". This refers to the practice of selling cheap rings made from common metals while trying to pass them off as being precious, hence the connection to it not being true or sincere i.e. a "phoney".

17. Phoney

"Phoney" refer to an object or person who is not true or sincere and this derives from the Gaelic word "fàinne" which means "ring". This refers to the practice of selling cheap rings made from common metals while trying to pass them off as being precious, hence the connection to it not being true or sincere i.e. a "phoney". Photo: KazanovskyAndrey - Getty Images

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