To be offended at people using "stupid" and "Irish" interchangeably?

[Yogahoneybunny]

Just that really - I am Irish and have been living in Scotland for a few years, and it has happened repeatedly. I am never quite sure what to say as it is always a flippant casual remark (e.g. In work someone often says a certain system is a bit Irish) but I find it weird given I am obviously Irish. I have sometimes said back that maybe they should think about what they are saying, given that I am Irish myself, but I seem to be viewed as hyper-sensitive.
Any ideas of a good come-back as I am useless at these things?!

The place I have never heard it is Ireland, curiously enough. My parents' generation never said it and the English said it in a 'stupid' way, not meaning chancing your arm. They'd normally blame the Welsh for that! Or Scousers, who are mostly of Irish and Welsh origin.

Backwardpossum, prevalent was the wrong choice of word - 'used' is neutral enough I hope.

Haven't RTFT sorry but I have heard this in Ireland a fair bit! Not widely said but here and there. I suppose we're probably allowed say it

I'm Irish and everyone I know uses that phrase but not to mean stupid more flippant with money. like if someone spent all their money and asked you for a loan and you were telling someone they would say that's a bit Irish in fairness. I haven't been offended.

I don't like the English phrase having a paddy to mean an unreasonable tantrum but was once told the reference was to a paddy field not the Irish on another forum.nobody could tell me what the link between a paddy field and unreasonable behaviour was

I'm not sure it is. "I am horrified to think it is still used in Scotland" still implies that people all over Scotland think it's acceptable. If you'd said "I am horrified to think it's still used by racist arseholes", then I'd agree. I know I sound petty and nit-picky but I will not be classed as some racist idiot because of where I come from. Sorry!

Or what NeverFinish said.

Tbh I grew up saying this (23 living in the midlands) and never thought anything of it until I went to university. One of my flat mates was irish and I accidentally referred to something as 'a bit irish' infront of her one day and was horrified though quite perplexed as she'd never heard it before.

Never even thought of it being racist or offensive til then.

I kept saying it in front of her though, she was a real bitch.

Never said it since though, it was a completely innocent thing when I was growing up but it never felt innocent after that.

mommy the phrase 'to have a paddy' comes from bring taken away in a padded wagon (paddy wagon) because you were a lunatic or criminal. It has nothing to do with the Irish.
backward 'used in Scotland' doesn't mean all the Scottish are racist. It just means that that's where the phrase was heard. I experienced anti-English racism in Ireland. Vast majority of the Irish weren't like that, but that's where I experienced it. Doesn't mean I think all Irish are racists. I don't. They aren't.

Wetthemogwai would you carry on racially insulting a black or Asian person just because you didn't like them?

I grew up hearing this expression all the time. My parents are Irish so maybe the offence was lost on them. I agree it does sound a bit off now but I never thought about it at the time. It's hard to define exactly but here's an example: you go out in flipflops but take an umbrella in case it rains. My DM would say "Well, that's a bit Irish." I suppose the inference is "daft, illogical".

Goodness, I can obviously see it's rude. Wonder why so many Irish say it?

I take your point and I agree with what you say (ie that it has been heard in Scotland) but I think the phrase "I am horrified that it is still used in Scotland" can be read both ways.

backward actually I take your point too on reading it again. I can see why you'd feel tarred. And I'm sure the vast majority of Scots don't use the phrase.

toffeemoon that's exactly how I'd describe it. Illogical it a much better word than stupid.

flipflops depends on the word I used. I don't think it has the same impact as the N or P words. It's more of an off the cuff comment that sounds a bit off than something used purposely to be derogatory and racist.

Sally, thanks, that's exactly what I meant.

(Your first explanation!)

Wetthemigwai, I respectfully disagree.

flip you have every right to, that's the joy of MN

Liz, I am RAF and have lived at 2 major bases in Scotland - neither had 'their own schools' with different curriculums, all the kids followed the Scottish curriculum.

The 'ghettos' you are talking about was more than likely the married quarters, and there is a huge Scottish majority serving at those camps.

My 2 Scottish born children used Scottish words but with a more englishy accent, not because they were 'discouraged', but because the huge diversity of accents RAF children grow up with usually render them accentless.

And RAF camps don't have 'English flags flying over them', so that's a load of crap, too. They will only fly an ensign, never the 'English' flag.

Oddly enough my nearly ninety year old mother used to say this and we are Irish and living in Ireland. I've heard others say it mostly older relatives and neighbours. I've not heard it said recently though so I guess it's throwback to the days when we self stigmatised ourselves . She didn't use it to refer to stupid though but more in relation to a person who was a bit forward or taking advantage, not that that's any compliment either.

Sorry flipflops! Just I can see that it could have been read that way! though I'm sure that's not how it was meant.

Flipflops I know that is what you meant and that is why I apologised for being nit-picky in my post.

Its used in Ireland all the time, I've said it many times myself and I'm Irish.

Agree, not heard this for years.

I have rarely heard it said in Ireland, Unless as stated above it was referring to someone chancing their arm. I would be very offending if it heard it been referred to ask a nation of stupid ppl it is a racist and derogatory to say such a thing, I do not know why in this day and age people would think it is acceptable to say it. OP I would say something and complain if it was said again.

Wetthemigwai UR behavior was disgusting and racist to continue using this phrase to your flat mate

I'm with nocabbageinmyeye, to me "being a bit Irish" is being cheeky, or taking the piss, or even just maybe bending the system by using a bit of charm?
Agree with corkgirl about person who said they know irish people with phd's. Like seriously?! I didn't realise Irish people were allowed to get an education.

I haven't heard it said - from London but now in the US- but I've heard the whole 'being a bit Jewish' to mean being miserly and cheap (I'm secular Jewish) and that offends me. YANBU.