Talk:Teuchter

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The etymology suggested looks very doubtful. I can't find it by googling - mind you I can't find any alternative explanation.

Exile 14:21, 7 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Agreed. In my experience it's used to refer disparagingly to anyone from the countryside -- not just Highlanders. -- Derek Ross | Talk 03:55, 2004 Oct 17 (UTC)

Well, I was told this origin by Professor Ruaraidh MacThomhais, head of Celtic at Glasgow University, no less. He seemed to think it was plausible. I've added another origin (Scots teuch). I don't think google not finding it proves anything, and the SND is unclear.

I have to say I've never heard anyone other than a Highlander called a teuchter, but I've never stayed in Arbroath :-;. Eoghan 00:30, 19 Oct 2004 (UTC)

People in Arbroath will generally refer to inhabitants of Forfar and Strathmore as teuchters but it's more widespread than that. I am fairly sure that Dundonians think of Fifers as teuchters, although I may be wrong. However I grew up in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and often heard the term used by Aberdonians referring to people from the farmland around the city, particularly in the areas around Ellon or Turriff, so I know for sure what Aberdonians mean by the term. The only place where I saw reference to Highland teuchters as opposed to the other teuchters that I knew about, was in the Angus Og strip which I occasionally read, so I would guess that the identification of teuchters with Highlanders is a Glasgow thing and related to Glasgow's northern rural hinterland being the South-western Highlands. -- Derek Ross | Talk 14:20, 2004 Oct 22 (UTC)

[edit] Racist?

There was recently a letter in the Sunday Herald complaining about the use of the word by their diarist. I've never considered the word so, and I come from Plockton... Was there any basis to that claim, or was that guy just insane? Maccoinnich 23:30, Dec 20, 2004 (UTC)

Must be insanity. It's a rural/urban difference rather than a racist difference. Teuchters are generally indistinguishable from toonies until they start speaking. In Aberdeen even that may not be enough for an outsider to tell the difference. -- Derek Ross | Talk 22:37, 2005 Jan 28 (UTC)

[edit] Other/Wrong Spelling(s)

I've added a redirect page to here from Choochter (Redirect Page Choochter). I'm not sure if "Choochter" is a mispelling or alternative spelling, but for now I've redirected here as if "Teuchter" is the (only) correct spelling -- Kinger 17:50, 20 January 2007 (UTC)