Scottish Football Miscelania

[albionroad]

Hello Scots

I have a few questions about Scottish team names, nicknames, etc. I'm doing some research for my webpage, which is referenced in my signature. Scotland is the next country I'm adding. Hopefully some of you can help me...

Why are Celtic nicknamed the Bhoys?
Why are Aberdeen nicknamed the Dons?
Why are Dunfermline nicknamed the Pars?
Why are Hearts nicknamed the Jam Tarts?
What is the background of the name Inverness Caledonian Thistle? (Obviously I've got the Inverness part)
Why are Motherwell nicknamed the Steelmen?

Besides Rangers-Celtic, Hearts-Hibs, and Dundee-Dundee United, are there are any other big derbies in Scotland?

[Scottish_Morton]

Inverness Caledonian and Inverness Thistle were 2 seperate teams who played in the Highland league before they joined together and joined the Scottish Football league in 1994.

[Holyjoe]

I'll help out with a couple:

Why are Aberdeen nicknamed the Dons?

There's no confirmed explanation for the nickname, but the club historians generally believe it came from the fact that the original Aberdeen football club (the one founded in 1881, that merged with Orion and Victoria in 1903 to become the current club) was founded by a large number of members of the teaching profession.

Why are Hearts nicknamed the Jam Tarts?

Simply rhyming slang for Hearts, and also influenced by the maroon colour of the team's shirts.

Why are Motherwell nicknamed the Steelmen?

They got that nickname because the Ravenscraig steelmill was not too far from Fir Park. The steelmill is still depicted in the club crest.

[Gordon EF]

Hello Scots



Why are Celtic nicknamed the Bhoys?
Why are Aberdeen nicknamed the Dons?
Why are Dunfermline nicknamed the Pars?
Why are Hearts nicknamed the Jam Tarts?
What is the background of the name Inverness Caledonian Thistle? (Obviously I've got the Inverness part)
Why are Motherwell nicknamed the Steelmen?

Besides Rangers-Celtic, Hearts-Hibs, and Dundee-Dundee United, are there are any other big derbies in Scotland?

Is "Bhoys" not just an Irish spelling of "Boys" and Celtic are an Irish club apparently.

Other notable derbies......

St Mirren-Morton
Partick Thistle-Clyde
Motherwell-Airdrie
Kilmarnock-Ayr
East Fife-Raith Rovers
Arbroath-Montrose

[scvaughan]

Basically nobody knows for sure origin of 'Pars' for Dunfermline. Some theories are: 1. a derogatory reference to their playing style, or drinking style
2. banners unfurled at their home park by English workers for their English home teams: Plymouth, Argyle, Rosyth
3. when Dunfermline gained league status, they were on a par with other teams.
4. parallel black & white stripes on shirt resembles a par fish

[nach0king]

I always assumed calling Aberdeen the Dons, or the Dandy Dons, came from the fact that Aberdeen lies on the River Don.

There are some other Scottish derbies. Kilsyth vs. Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Arthurlie vs. Pollok, Kilwinning vs. anyone :D

[gaijin]

Ross County v ICT.

A derby between two of the most northernly teams in Britain.

[Bobbybhoy]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle one of the biggest names in futba!!!!!
Celtic-Bhoys its the nod to the Irish(accent thing)a Gang way back when in the Gallowgate were the Tim Malloys....Celtic supporter are called Tims as well
Tim Malloy's Bhoys...rhyming slang once more
Dundee Utd-Arab's.....Think its was back in the 20's they put down sand on there ptich to keep it from freezing for a SC match and the name stuck..Could be wrong..

[albionroad]

Inverness Caledonian and Inverness Thistle were 2 seperate teams who played in the Highland league before they joined together and joined the Scottish Football league in 1994.OK...maybe this is obvious to anyone in Scotland, but why would a club choose 'Caledonian Thistle' as their name?

[albionroad]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle one of the biggest names in futba!!!!!Well, definitely one of the longest...

[albionroad]

Dundee Utd-Arab's.....Think its was back in the 20's they put down sand on there ptich to keep it from freezing for a SC match and the name stuck..Could be wrong..You're right...

http://www.dundeeunitedfc.co.uk/index.asp?pg=216


Thanks to everyone for the help.

[dov2711]

Iron bars=pars - stripped strip resembling prison bars.

Another idea is along the theme of the strip being Parallel lines.

Us lads in Kirkcaldy have a few more accurate nicknames for them..................

[nach0king]

OK...maybe this is obvious to anyone in Scotland, but why would a club choose 'Caledonian Thistle' as their name?

The answer's in the bit you quoted. The teams that merged were named Caledonian and Thistle. Names like United were suggested but the people behind the merger decided to keep the identity and legacy of the two teams intact.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Is "Bhoys" not just an Irish spelling of "Boys" and Celtic are an Irish club apparently.




I can never recall seeing it before andreas thoms (silent h) stint at the club.

[cailean]

OK...maybe this is obvious to anyone in Scotland, but why would a club choose 'Caledonian Thistle' as their name?

If I'm correct you're asking why any Scottish club would choose the names
'Caledonian' and 'Thistle'.
'Caledonia' was the name given to the country by the Romans, named after
the predomindant tribe - the 'Caledoni'. The country didn't becaome known
as Scotland until the Scots arrived from Ireland several hundred years later.
If you're confused then check some history books ..
The thistle is the floral emblem of Scotland consequently numerous sport
teams include the name 'Thistle'.

I'll be on my bike now ...

C

[albionroad]

If I'm correct you're asking why any Scottish club would choose the names
'Caledonian' and 'Thistle'.
'Caledonia' was the name given to the country by the Romans, named after
the predomindant tribe - the 'Caledoni'. The country didn't becaome known
as Scotland until the Scots arrived from Ireland several hundred years later.
If you're confused then check some history books ..
The thistle is the floral emblem of Scotland consequently numerous sport
teams include the name 'Thistle'.

I'll be on my bike now ...

CBrilliant. Thanks.