Sawney

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈsɔːni/

Definitions

1. A Scottish term referring to a foolish or simple-minded person, often used as a nickname or mild insult
2. A term used in Scotland for a person deemed to be lacking in cleverness or common sense, often employed humorously or as a gentle mockery
3. A colloquial label in Scotland for an individual perceived to be naive or foolish, often delivered in a jesting tone

Etymology: Sawney is a Scots variant of Sandy, the familiar form of Alexander, so the word's core is a first name. That name was once so commonly given to Scotsmen that it became a generic label for a Scot, and from there it picked up the sense of a simple, credulous fellow. The English sense of "a foolish or unsophisticated person" grew out of that stereotype, and the Scottish usage kept a softer, teasing tone. The shift from name to insult is what makes the word notable. A personal name turned into a term of ridicule because of who was assumed to bear it, a pattern seen in other words where a common given name came to stand for a type of person.