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Archiver > PACE > 2007-01 > 1169606044


From: "Roy Johnson" <>
Subject: Re: [PACE] thanks and a question (Scotch-Irish)
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 20:34:04 -0600
In-Reply-To: <0E1E8B12-0896-41A2-9C72-6990C74FE34A@esinet.net>


My definition and derivation came from my Houghton-Mifflin desktop
ereference, which said it was first Scottish, but also Old Irish.

"A mound of stones erected as a memorial or marker.
[Middle English carne, from Scottish Gaelic carn, from Old Irish.]"

I assume this means the Scottish Gaelic goes back to Old Irish, also Gaelic.

But at any rate, it fits your speculation below.

Roy Johnson



-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:] On Behalf
Of Genevieve Keller
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:02 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [PACE] thanks and a question (Scotch-Irish)

I believe that the term cairn derives from Scotland, not Ireland

Generally, a cairn is a deliberate piling of rocks or stones-- sometimes to
mark a significant place, sometimes a burial, sometimes not. Of course, not
all cairns are significant in very rocky terrain, which occurs frequently in
that part of the world. Often there was just a need to clear a rocky field
and pile up the stones.

The following musings are conjecture but perhaps someone who was tending
sheep or "camping out" in a remote location might have used cairns as a sort
of shelter, and thus would have been a rather grimy person as result of
living in the cairns. I would imagine others might have taken refuge and
hidden among cairns if they were hiding or escaping from something. With the
clearing out of much of the Scottish countryside and removal of residents
from rural areas, that sort of thing must have occurred.


On Jan 23, 2007, at 7:44 PM, Roy Johnson wrote:

> An example in a sentence would help. Sometimes it depends on how it's
> used.
>
> Roy Johnson
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:]
> On Behalf
> Of Education Oasis
> Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:24 PM
> To:
> Subject: [PACE] thanks and a question (Scotch-Irish)
>
> Thanks, everyone, for the information. I will proceed with the DNA
> asap.
>
>
>
> There is one question I've been wondering about for so many years.
> My mother
> (a Pace) used this word when she was young.the word is cairn (not sure
> of spelling but it is pronounced kay-urn). It means something really
> grimy or dirty. Has anyone heard of this word and/or its origin
> (Scotch/Irish possibly)?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Kim
>
>
>
>
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