noun
Sassenach
SAS-uh-nak
Sassenach (noun) means an English person, as spoken of by a Scot; used anywhere from teasing to genuinely hostile depending on tone. Example: “He called his English son-in-law a Sassenach every chance he got.”
noun
1
Scottish, chiefly informal An English person, as spoken of by a Scot; used anywhere from teasing to genuinely hostile depending on tone.
"He called his English son-in-law a Sassenach every chance he got."
"The pub filled with Sassenachs down for the rugby."
adjective
1
Scottish English, as opposed to Scottish or Gaelic.
"She had no patience for Sassenach table manners."
How to use Sassenach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Scottish word for an English person.
When to use it
Marked as Scottish; an English speaker using it of themselves sounds jokey, and using it of others sounds borrowed.
Memory tip
Stress the first syllable and pronounce the ch as a hard k in English speech.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
bloody Sassenach
a Sassenach accent
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He called his English son-in-law a _____ every chance he got.
Etymology
From Scottish Gaelic Sasannach, meaning Saxon or English, from the same root as Saxon.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
Is Sassenach an insult?
It can be, but it is usually mild. Among friends it is banter about being English, while in an argument it becomes a genuine slur, and the delivery decides which one you are hearing.
What is the difference between Sassenach and Sasunnach?
They are spellings of the same Gaelic word. Sassenach is the anglicised form used in English writing, while Sasannach or Sasunnach is the Gaelic spelling.
Does Sassenach mean outlander?
No. It specifically means English or Saxon. The association with outsiders comes from its use in fiction, where it is applied to a foreigner in the Highlands, but the word itself names the English.
What is the meaning of Sassenach?
"Sassenach" (noun) means an English person, as spoken of by a Scot; used anywhere from teasing to genuinely hostile depending on tone.
