We're all Jock Tamson's bairns

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Meaning

We share a common humanity and none of us is inherently above the others. Affirming and egalitarian. It may refer to all humanity or, in a narrower context, members of one community. Regional use: Scots and Scottish English.

Origin

The Scottish National Dictionary records 'We're a' John Tamson's bairns' in 1847 as a frequent expression of mutual fellowship. Jock is a familiar Scots form of John and bairns are children. Stories that identify Jock Tamson with a particular minister are late and conflicting; the saying's inclusive force is clear, but its supposed father figure is not securely historical.

Research Sources

  1. Jock Dictionaries of the Scots Language
  2. We're a 'Jock Tamson's Bairns!' Race equality, migration and citizenship in Scotland and the UK University of Edinburgh Research Explorer

Variants

  • We're a' Jock Tamson's bairns
  • We're all John Tamson's bairns

Usage Examples

  • Leave the titles at the door; we're all Jock Tamson's bairns here.
  • The appeal reminded both villages that they were a' Jock Tamson's bairns.
  • We're all John Tamson's bairns when the river comes over its banks.

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