AIBU to be slightly miffed that "throwing a paddy" refers to Irish people ?

[scuzy]

If having a paddy meant being drunk, i'd understand. but to associate it with having a tantrum when of recent years at footballs games, riots etc its the english that are the ones more deserving of this title.

not sure what it would be called then.

any suggestions? having a ....????

[Ilovecoffeeandchocolate]

Even if the saying did refer to "drunken Irish people" it is not racist at all maybe slightly xenophobic but that is it. I am amazed how everyone tries to find something racist in so many sayings.

[oimoomoo]

im Irish, use the term and do nt find it offensive. Living in Ireland until a few years ago and still go back to visit the term is also used over there, my dad who is Irish used it with me and i use it with my son.
Do not see it at rascist, and like everything someone is able to take offensive but racist is a bit of a harsh use. Especially when a lot of people on here say they are Irish and dont find it offensive.

My dad found me getting together with my partner in the British military offensive

[fedupofnamechanging]

Pmsl Scuzy, at the complaining about racial stereotypes, while indulging in the use of them yourself.

[Frontpaw]

I may throw a Geordie. Throwing a Glaswegian would be too much of a mouthful and potentially dangerous.

[Whatmeworry]

So, from now on it's throwing a Pommie.

Now what's the word for the PA comments the Englush also do so well?

[snapsnap]

Funnily enough I never thought of the expression as being derogatory to Irish people or even referring to Irish people. You actually see much less aggression on Irish streets and no one does an indignant strop like the English! (lady in car park thread anyone)

[AngryBeaver]

Had never considered the origins,but I say it...and my Irish Dh has never said anything,infact,I'm pretty sure he says it too

[snowbellblues]

boohoo, I have never ever used the exprssion 'having a paddy'. I don't like it either, seldom hear it used.

[iklboo]

Lots of etymology theories on 'take the mick' - many being it's an abbreviation of 'micturation' (urine) and is therefore 'take the piss'......apparently.

[HalfPastWine]

It's not offensive to anyone in my family nor any of my friends and so far, none of my customers have been offended. I think I'd be inclined to tell anyone who was offended to get a life.

Me too. Where do you draw the line.

So, do we now offend everyone called Mick/Mickey/Michael when we say 'take the mick/ mickey' which is basically saying 'take the piss'.

[chipmonkey]

I'm not Patrick and neither is my wife!

[IAmBooyhoo]

BTW the 'st paddy's day' thing is literally because paddy is a shortening of patrick. so to call it st paddy's day is fine because, yes, his name is patrick. but to use paddy in reference to someone who is irish, just because they are irish is not the same as that at all, because, er, we aren't all called patrick.

[CremeEggThief]

Paddy's Day.
"Aha, Paddy is cuter than that!"
"The guards threw him in the back of the paddywagon".

All phrases used by Irish people in Ireland and reported here by an Irish person.

[iklboo]

I worked in pubs in England that were very popular with Irish customers. 'Paddy' they didn't mind so much, but one gobby local came in one night calling the lads 'micks' and that (very rightly) did not go down well at all.

[Wittsend13]

I live in Ireland and having a paddy meaning throwing a tantrum.

It's not offensive to anyone in my family nor any of my friends and so far, none of my customers have been offended. I think I'd be inclined to tell anyone who was offended to get a life.

[Kladdkaka]

Is this one of those situations where it's ok when used by the named group but not ok when used by someone outside the group? My Dad calls all his kids/grandkids Paddy, even the girls, apart from the youngest son who he calls Mickerick. He loves being called Paddy (not his name) by the people who know him at the local Irish club but he'd go spare if anyone else did.

[scuzy]

paddy's day here too!

[IAmBooyhoo]

yep st paddy's day here too.

[SZt]

and yes st paddys day it is

[SZt]

im irish and I hate it when people take the mickey....ooops

[Aboutlastnight]

I can't fecking win.

[chipmonkey]

But we call it Paddy's day over here!

[Aboutlastnight]

You get meaning from context. Context is everything. Personally I wouldn't clutch my pearls at something saying their child was having a paddy. I would be a bit at some student referring to St Patrick's day as 'Paddy's Day' and horrified at it used in a perjorative way of referring to the Irish.

[IAmBooyhoo]

ignorant people can still cause offence whether they intend to or not. you know after reading this thread that some people find the word offensive. can you honestly justify using it now that you know? if you are saying it isn't offensive because people dont know what it originally meant, then surely now that you know you will decide not to use it?

[lolaflores]

I disagree. The word Paddy is still in use as a reference to irish people. That is sloppy thinking,