Where does “scrum” come from?
Scrum derives from English scrummage, which comes from English scrimmage, itself from English skirmish, ultimately tracing back through alternating forms in English.
scrum (English): A tightly-packed and disorderly crowd of people;...
Definitions
- A tightly-packed and disorderly crowd of people;...
Ancestry of “scrum”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | scrummage | An ordered formation of forwards, typically... |
| 2 | English | scrimmage | A rough fight; In some team sports, especially... |
| 3 | English | skirmish | A brief battle between small groups, usually part... |
| 4 | Old French | escarmouche | skirmish |
| 5 | Italian | scaramuccia | skirmish; squabble; third-person singular present... |
| 6 | Italian | schermugio | — |