Hogmanay
/ˌhɒɡməˈneɪ/noun
The traditional Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Did you know?The word’s origin is uncertain, but it has been linked to several old festival and greeting traditions, which is why Hogmanay still feels like a ritual at the edge of the year.
Etymological Timeline
17th Century
Scots
hogmanay
“A New Year celebration or gift-giving custom in Scotland”
17th Century
French/Scots
hoguinané / hagmena
“A New Year’s greeting or cry, recorded in related regional forms”
Medieval French
Old French
aguillanneuf / aguillaneuf
“A New Year’s gift or New Year’s cry, exact connection uncertain”
Earlier folklore
Unknown
?
“Various proposed origins, including seasonal cries, gift customs, and folk etymologies, none proven”