In olden days of constant strife between clans and with the English, in some parts of Scotland all able men needed to be armed. To check on readiness, a wappenshaw was held periodically. All local men would appear there with their weapons to show that they were properly armed.
Germany speakers will have already sniffed the German words 'Waffen' (weapons) and 'Schau' (display) in there. Both the Scots and German words are derived from the Old Norse 'vapn' (weapons) and 'schaw' (display). Those brave-hearted Scots were thus ready for the Sassenach (Scots or Irish term for the English, derived from the Gaelic term for the Latin 'saxones') at any time! HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH REGIONAL ENGLISH? PETER THE PROOFER IS CHEAP AND FAST, NOT CHEAP AND NASTY!
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