Diamonds as the Ornamental Jewels of a Regnal Crown, imply no more in the above-nam'd Proverb than a mark of Royalty, for SCOTLAND'S Kings for many Ages, were observ'd, each Ninth to be a Tyrant, who by Civil Wars, and all the fatal consequences of intestine discord, plunging the Divided Kingdom into strange Disorders, gave occasion, in the course of time, to form the Proverb.

Why is the Nine of Diamonds called the curse of Scotland?Ī. In a book printed in London in 1708, The British Apollo, or, Curious amusements for the ingenious, a question is posed: The expression has been used at least since the early 18th century, and many putative explanations have been given for the origin of this nickname for the card.Įarliest printed references Extract from British Apollo of 1708 The Curse of Scotland is a nickname used for the nine of diamonds playing card. The nine of diamonds is sometimes referred to as the 'Curse of Scotland' Nickname for Nine of Diamonds playing card