Daft question alert - why are they called Tories ?

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Its not just an daft abbreviation of Conservative is it ?

Oh my god... i have no idea. Someone, quick!

ROFL, wiki says this:
"The word derives from the Middle Irish word tóraidhe; modern Irish tóraí: outlaw, robber, from the Irish word tóir, meaning "pursuit", since outlaws were "pursued men". It was originally used to refer to an Irish outlaw and later applied to Confederates or Royalists in arms. The term was thus originally a term of abuse, "an Irish rebel", before being adopted as a political label in the same way as Whig.

There is no reasonable authority for the belief that the term derives from Tory Island in the north west of Ireland and was intended to imply "an Irish peasant""

Conserva-tory

I think! Though that's not actually a word now i look at it.

I have often wondered this, thought I was being really stupid!

I always thought of the conservatory thing as well

I looked it up once and the real reason is very boring.

I think the Conservatives were originally the Tory party but were 're-branded' in the 19th Century as having a 'conservative philosophy'. They then decided to call themselves the Conservatives, so Tory is just an old name for them.

It does originally mean outlaw (from Irish 'torai') and was originally (1679 Exclusion Crisis) applied to supporters of James, Duke of York (a Catholic) who became James II. 'Whigs' applied the derisive name -- Whig is itself derived from Scots Gaelic and originally meant 'horse thief' but was later associated with Presbyterians.

That's very interesting. Often wondered.

ROFL & clutching sides at conservatory. Yes, a white plastic one somewhere in middle England pretty much sums them up for me.

God this site is good value today.

yes and hopfully he`ll blow away first really windy night

Why thank you I knew you would be able to tell me. I think I prefer Conservatory though

me too

I knew it had negative connotations which is why I always say Conservatives.

at conserva-tory hehe

I prefer Irish Outlaws vs Horse Thieves as a summary of British politics.