The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #125224 Message #2771415
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
22-Nov-09 - 06:52 PM
Thread Name: Shanty or Chantey?
Subject: RE: Shanty or Chantey?
I don't think I've ever met anyone who thought shanties were particularly British let alone Irish. No doubt they exist.
I can't see how the spelling gives much of a clue where the word came from - sailormen weren't necessarily too interested in spelling.
As it happens, though it seems more likely that the name comes from the French chanter, or just from English chant, one of the origins that has been suggested is that it comes from the songs used when hauling huts, or shanties in the West Indies.