You might not realize it, but you’re surrounded by slogans every day. These are the short and striking phrases used as adverts for a company or product — you might recognize some of these here:

‘Just do it’

‘I’m Loving It’

‘Taste the Rainbow’

 

Now, close your eyes, and picture this scene in your mind. You’re a warrior in the Scottish Highlands, preparing for a mighty battle with a rival clan. You’re wearing a deerskin waistcoat and holding a fearsome weapon called a broadsword in your hand. The air is filled with the unique battle cry of your clan — you pound your chest and join in with the chant.

What’s all that got to do with ads for trainers? Good question. But read on…

Before the word ‘slogan’, came its longer form, ‘slughorn’. And no, that wasn’t not an instrument played by slimy garden creatures, but a Scottish battle-cry shouted by warriors before they lifted their weapons and charged.

Each clan had their own slughorn, but they all had one thing in common — the sound, as it rang out from the mountains and hillsides, was quite terrifying. (Particularly when it was accompanied by bagpipes!)

Over time, as the highland battles ended and faded from people’s memories, ‘slughorn’ was shortened to ‘slogan’ and it became simply a phrase associated with a particular person or group, particularly in advertising.

I don’t know about you, but I think that hollering the slughorn of a Scottish warrior might be a good way of starting your next school Sports Day!