Schotten Preise

“Scottish prices” – a term used in Germany to denote cheap prices.

Some Scottish politicians have had enough of their countrymen being stereotyped as mean – according to The Telegraph’s Scottish Political Editor, Simon Johnson:

German companies have been accused of racial abuse by using the phrase Schotten Preise, meaning Scottish prices, to advertise discounted goods.

The Scottish National Party is to lodge an official complaint with Germany’s advertising association, arguing the long-established marketing technique is offensive.

Angus Robertson MP, the party’s Westminster leader, said the phrase promotes an unfair racial stereotype that Scots are mean and advertisers would not dare make the same association with orthodox Jews.

“Schotten Preise” is used in Germany to market products ranging from fast food to low-cost holidays, while the names of many discount stores contain the prefix “Mac.”

Noting that the phrase Schotten Preise might date back as far as the 15th century, Johnson observed that the image of the “penny-pinching” Scot appeared in adverts for a range of products, including a price-comparison Website that “uses adverts featuring a Scot wearing a kilt and tartan hat chasing coins and advising Germans how to save money.”

See also: De-Scottishify