Anti-Scottish sentiment

Anti-Scottish sentiment is disdain, envy, fear or hatred for Scotland, the Scots or Scottish culture. It is sometimes referred to as Scotophobia [cite book|title=Oxford English Dictionary|quote=Scotophobia, a morbid dread or dislike of the Scots or things Scottish|url=http://dictionary.oed.com/|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2008] [cite web|url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization-institutions_government/scotophobia_3692.jsp|author=Neal Ascherson|publisher=OpenDemocracy|date=28 June 2006|title=Scotophobia] (which also means fear of the dark).

Edward I of England was styled the "Hammer of the Scots". His tombstone reads "Edwardus Primus Scotorum Malleus hic est, 1308. Pactum Serva" which is Latin for "Here is Edward I, Hammer of the Scots". He is depicted as an opponent of Scottish nationalism in games and movies such as "Braveheart".

The diet of the Scots is often derided by the English. An early example appears in the first dictionary of Samuel Johnson in which he defined oats as "a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people". The haggis, whose contents are offal, is often the butt of jokes.

In popular culture, a stereotypical Scotsman is often depicted as being fiery-tempered or miserly. Examples include: Groundskeeper Willie, Private Frazer, Mr Mackay and Scotty. When such a character wears a kilt there is often ribald speculation or innuendo about what is underneath. The accompanying sporran is often thought to be amusing too.

The term Scottish mafia is a pejorative term used by English nationalists for a group of Scottish Labour Party politicians and broadcasters who have been seen as having undue influence over the government of the United Kingdom and in particular of England. The term is widely used in the UK press [cite news |first=Ian |last=Jack |authorlink=Ian Jack |author= |coauthors= |title=Border disputes |url=http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1819741,00.html |work=The Guardian |publisher=Guardian Newspapers Limited |date=15 July 2006 |accessdate=2006-10-02 ] [cite news |first=Boris |last=Johnson|authorlink=Boris Johnson |coauthors= |title=There's nothing national about the National Health |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2006/08/31/do3101.xml |work=The Daily Telegraph |publisher=Telegraph Group Limted |date=31 August 2006 |accessdate=2006-10-02 ] and in parliamentary debates. [cite hansard |url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200304/ldhansrd/vo040212/text/40212-24.htm | house=House of Lords |date=12 February 2004 | column=GC571 ] [cite hansard |url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo970707/text/70707-31.htm | house=House of Lords |date=7 July 1997 | column=523 ] Members of this group include: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, Alistair Darling, Charles Falconer, Derry Irvine, Michael Martin and John Reid.

Quotations

* "There are few more impressive sights in the world than a Scotsman on the make" - J.M.Barriecite book|title=Anglo-Scottish Relations, from 1603 to 1900|author=T. Christopher Smout|pages=25|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=LpPDNU8S5oMC|isbn=0197263305|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2005]
* "The noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads to England." - Samuel Johnson

References

ee also

* Scottish cultural cringe
* Scottish national identity