Erse

Erse (early Scots/Inglis for "Irish") Can be used as an adjective, but is more often used as a noun referring to the Irish language. Originally it could be used in reference to both things Irish and Highlander (in the Gaidhealtachd sense), but latterly it specifically refers to Irish. The term is now archaic, and in most contexts is considered derogatory.

It has been used in Scotland since the late 15th century to characterise (Scottish) Gaelic (Gàidhlig) as foreign to Scotland. The Gaelic language itself was previously called Scottis, meaning Scots or Scottish, while the language now called Scots (since the early 16th century) was called Inglis or Ynglis. The word Gaelic (normally meaning Scots Gaelic) has been used by opponents of Irish language (Gaeilge) revival in Ireland in a similar way.