Scotch-Irish
/skɒtʃˈʌɪrɪʃ/adjective
1 Celtic Hist. = Scots-Irish. rare before late 19th cent.
2Chiefly North American. Designating Ulster Scots settlers in North America; of, belonging to, or descended from these settlers; (occasionally) designating the Ulster Scots themselves.
- Usually preferred in the United States and Canada over Scots-Irish. Historically, the term was sometimes used more widely in North America to designate any Irish Protestant immigrants, as well as those from southern Scotland and the English-Scottish borderlands..
noun
1Chiefly North American. Ulster Scots people in North America or in the north of Ireland considered collectively.
2 Celtic Hist. = Scots-Irish. rare.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Michael Drayton (1536–1631), poet. From Scotch + Irish. With senses A. 1 and B. 3 compare earlier Irish Scot.