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Smashing - Etymology

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+1
This question is Not Answered. Latest post 249 days ago by Anonymous. 5 replies.

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Anonymous  [More info]
smashing - excellent or fine

it is possible the word derives from the Scottish Gaelic 'is-math-sin'
which means good or fine and is pronounced sma-shin,
Anonymous
+1 Feebs11  [More info]
Personally I am doubtful as "smashing" in the sense of great or super only dates from 1911, and if it really came from Gaelic, I would expect it to have a much older history. "Smash" itself has an unknown etymology, and is probably onomatopoeic.
Feebs11
Joined on Thu, Nov 23 2006
UK
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+1 by Anonymous [More info]
that means it only became recognised by the oed in 1911
its possible it was used in scotland before then

it certainly is more commonly used in scotland than other parts of the uk

 
+1 Feebs11  [More info]
Here's the entry from the Dictionary of the Scottish Language:   http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/

I see nothing to link it to the Gaelic, which was not spoken in much of Scotland anyhow. Wikipedia is not 100% accurate.
Feebs11
+1 by Anonymous [More info]
In Irish


"Is maith sin"  literally "Thats good".

 
+1 by Anonymous [More info]
I have lived on the West side of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for ten years. I have been slowly getting a handle on the local Gaelic language, which is frequently spoken (probably more than English) in common meetings between people, in the pub or at the filling station, etc. The phrase "  's math sin" was used often and I could not but help think that it sounded just like the English -Smashing, meaning some thing is good. I got a literal translation and it means, "and that is good" , the " 's" is an apostrophised version of "agus" which is the Gaelic for "and" - the word "agus" becomes "  's " when used colloquially . The phrase "smashin' " is pure and simple Gaelic.

You will not find it's derivation in English dictionarys as there has to be an example, in the written form, in order for the compilers to have a proven point of reference. Try sending this to the OED and you may see it being credited. It is most certainly not of an unknown derivation.

" 'S an robh e math sin?"  (literally, "and was that good?")

 

 
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