The Curse of Scotland

historical expression

- the nine of diamonds playing card

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The expression has been used at least since the early 18th century, and many putative explanations have been given for the origin of this nickname for the card.

- The Dalrymple Connection: One of the most popular theories links it to Sir John Dalrymple, Master of Stair, who signed the order for the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. Some say the nine of diamonds resembled his family's coat of arms, while others suggest he wrote the execution order on a card that happened to be the nine of diamonds.

- The "Butcher" Cumberland: Another theory connects it to the Duke of Cumberland, who brutally suppressed the Jacobite Rising at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. He allegedly used the nine of diamonds to scribble a harsh order against Scots, or according to some versions, played the card the night before the battle.

- Tax Connection: A simpler explanation suggests it's related to a nine-diamond tax pattern imposed on Scotland by a 17th-century Scottish parliament, representing an unpopular tax burden.

- Card Game Origin: Some believe it comes from the game of Pope Joan, where the nine of diamonds is called the "Pope" - a figure despised in Presbyterian Scotland.

The phrase has been in use since at least the early 18th century, with written references dating back to 1710. Despite extensive research, no single explanation has been definitively proven, making the true etymology as mysterious as the curse itself.

Today, the phrase is mostly a historical curiosity, but it still appears in card game folklore, Scottish trivia, and sports headlines (e.g., referring to unlucky defeats in rugby or football).

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TEN THINGS VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT SCOTLAND!

1.  Scotland attempted to establish a colony in Panama called "Caledonia" in the 1690s. The failed venture, known as the Darien Scheme, was so financially catastrophic it became a major factor in Scotland agreeing to the 1707 Act of Union with England.

2. Edinburgh was the first city in the world to have its own municipal fire brigade in 1824. It was founded by James Braidwood, who later became a pioneer in modern firefighting techniques.


3.  In 1861, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell produced the world’s first colour photograph using a three-colour process. His work laid the foundation for modern colour photography.


4.  Around 13% of Scots have red hair, the highest percentage in the world. Additionally, around 40% carry the recessive redhead gene, meaning future generations will likely keep the trait.


5.  The Atholl Highlanders are the only remaining private army in Europe, acting as the personal bodyguard to the Duke of Atholl.

6.  The world’s shortest commercial flight connects the Scottish islands of Westray and Papa Westray in the Orkney Islands. Operated by Loganair, the flight officially takes around 1 minute and 14 seconds, but with favourable winds, it can be as short as 47 seconds.


7.  Scotland's mainland coastline is approximately 6,160 miles long, three times longer than England's. 


8.  Scotland has an estimated 3,000 castles, equating to one castle per 100 square miles. 


9.  While many people know about the Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland, Scotland actually has over 790 islands, but only around 90 are inhabited.

10.  The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn, chosen for its association with purity, innocence, and power in Celtic mythology.

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SYNONYMS

Alba, Caledonia, North Britain, Pictland, Scotia, SCOTLAND, The Highlands, The Kingdom of Scotland, The Land of Bagpipes and Kilts, The Land of Lochs and Glens, The Land of the Brave, The Land of the Gaels, Whisky Country.

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“The next time I encounter the 9 of Diamonds in a card game, I’m going to exclaim and explain ’THE CURSE OF SCOTLAND’. “

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