different between alexander vs sawney

English

Etymology

Unknown. Apparently from either the given name or the surname Alexander, but the connection is unclear. Attested since the early 20th century.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?æl???zænd?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?æl???z??nd?/
• (æ-tensing, rhotic) IPA^(key): [?æl???ze?nd?]
• (æ-tensing, non-rhotic) IPA^(key): [?æl???ze?nd?]
• Hyphenation: Al?ex?an?der

Noun

alexander (plural alexanders)

1. A cocktail made of cognac or gin, white crème de cacao, and light cream.

References

• “Alexander, n.².”, in OED Online ?, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, September 2012
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “Alexander”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

English

Etymology

(fool, idiot): From Sawney, a Scots variant of the personal name Sandy.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s??ni/

Noun

sawney (countable and uncountable, plural sawneys)

1. (countable) A fool, an idiot.
2. (Britain, slang, obsolete, uncountable) Bacon.
   • 1820, John Bull (volumes 1-2, page 363)

     Tyrrell, another boy, confirmed their testimony, and said, on one occasion, when they had stolen a heart, liver, and lights, the prisoner said, "go out, one or two of you, and see if you can get a bit of sawney!" (meaning a bit of bacon).

   • 1861, The old Roman well (volume 1, page 62)

     A man came in as she spoke, and drawing a large piece of bacon from his pocket, flung it down upon the counter.
     'How much d'ye want for it?' said the lodging-house keeper, weighing it with his eyes.
     'Sixpence.'
     'Sixpence for a bit of sawney! (thieved bacon). We can't give more than fourpence in this shop, my buffer.'

Adjective

sawney (comparative more sawney, superlative most sawney)

1. foolish, stupid

References

• (bacon): 1873, John Camden Hotten, The Slang Dictionary

Anagrams

• Swaney, Swayne, waneys