Etymology From German schottische (“Scottish”), as in der schottische Tanz (“the Scottish dance”). First attested in 1849. The Oxford English Dictionary comments that the “quasi-French pronunciation […] has no justification”.
1
A partnered country dance resembling a slow polka, probably of German origin, first introduced in England in 1848.
The aim of whose existence appears to be that of rattling through the polka or schottische with the velocity of a spinning jenny.1849 [1848 July 9], Theatrical Programme:
[…] this abominable German usage we have imported—the polka and the schottish too […]1855, John Esten Cooke, Ellie: or the Human Comedy, Richmond: A. Morris, page 151:
4 more examples
[…] I could never dare to face Madame Mélanie Duval, or the Semiramis of dancing mistresses, Madame Michau Adelaide—study the fashionable steps in secret, and then burst upon the world as an adept in the Schottische, the Cellarius, and the Deux Temps?1859, George Augustus Sala, Twice Round the Clock […], London: Houlston and Wright, Paternoster Row, page 280:
The ‘Polka tremblante’, or Schottisch, is also a Bohemian national dance, and was brought out in Paris by Cellarius in 1844.1862 January 25, The Athenæum […], page 111, column 3:
[…] the Schottische is very seldom danced now in its original form[…]1892, Edward Scott, Dancing as an Art and Pastime, London: George Bell and Sons […], page 168:
It so happened that Pippi was learning to dance the shottische^([sic]), and she didn't want to go to bed until she was sure she could do it.1950 [1945], Astrid Lindgren, “Pippi Entertains Two Burglars”, in Pippi Longstocking, The Viking Press, translation of Pippi Långstrump, →ISBN, page 107; republished by Puffin Books, published 2013:
2
Music for the schottische.
Derived terms
Highland Schottische, Balmoral Schottische, Military Schottische
schottische
verb
Etymology From German schottische (“Scottish”), as in der schottische Tanz (“the Scottish dance”). First attested in 1849. The Oxford English Dictionary comments that the “quasi-French pronunciation […] has no justification”.
1
To dance a schottische.
I could only schottische a little.1865 September 10, Oliver Willcox Norton, Army Letters: 1861-1865 […], "Ringgold Barracks, Texas", page 277:
I polked and schottisched with a step peculiar to myself—and the kangaroo.1872, Mark Twain, The Innocents at Home, London: George Routledge and Sons, page 89: