Switzer

Switzer is an English demonym historically used to refer to a person from Switzerland. In contemporary usage, the preferred term for someone from Switzerland is Swiss. The form Switzer is now mostly encountered in historical texts, surnames, and certain geographic names.

Etymology and history: The word Switzer derives from the Germanic term for a Swiss person, ultimately linked to Schweizer, the native adjective and noun for Switzerland. English speakers adopted the form during the Middle Ages and in early modern times, in part through contact with Swiss mercenaries and travelers who served in various European armies and courts. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation varied, giving rise to forms such as Switzer or Switzter in older sources.

Usage and context: In historical writing, Switzer often denotes a Swiss soldier or mercenary, and appears in travelogues and chronicles from the medieval and early modern periods. In modern English, the term is usually encountered as a historical or literary artifact, or as a surname. It is not used as the standard ethnonym today.

Other uses: Switzer is also a surname and appears in place names and other toponyms, reflecting its historical role as a demonym and family name.

See also: Swiss.