Am I right in being slightly annoyed?

[RottenTomatoes959]

For reference I am Irish living in Ireland.

I took DS to soft play over the weekend and got chatting to an English woman who was there with her DD.
Her DD starting having tantrum as 3 year olds tend to do and she starting laughing and joking with me over her throwing " a paddy".

Maybe she didn't understand the negative connotations of it but using this phrase to an Irish person in Ireland is a bit bloody stupid.

She ended up taking her DD and leaving so I didn't say anything but I wish I did.
Do I have right to be slightly annoyed by this?

Are you sure she is even English? I have an English accent but I am Australian. The phrase is used to describe tantrums sometimes in Australia. I had no idea of the connotations until I moved here. I didn’t even realise that the English were so racist towards the Irish . In my defence we weren’t taught much British history in school so the persecution of the Irish was never on my radar and the whole IRA business came across as being religiously motivated/a bunch of crazy nationalists.

Has anyone heard the rhyme that starts "Taffy was a Welshman"? IMy mum used to say it when I was a kid but I can't say the rest cos MNHQ will come along with its sleeves rolled up!

@OhDoGrowUp I had a mental image there of a two year old going red in the face with the whole eye testifying about to have a tantrum thing going on only to then sigh deeply and start tutting.

Paddy-wagon is offensive as it's a reference to the stereotype of drunken Irishmen getting into fights in a big city in America (NY? Detroit?) and being thrown into the police van and taken off to the drunk-tank to sober up out of harm's way.

Oh ffs really? You clearly knew she was on about her child throwing a tantrum so why take offence to it because you are Irish! My family are Irish but still use the word paddy!

Oh your family are Irish? That’s fine then. They speak for the whole country do they? I’ll get back in my box then.

Yes, it’s offensive. No, I am sure the woman didn’t know.

It’s fine not to know something. It’s what you do with the information once you do know that’s important.

that a phrase they have used with no intent to insult you, is now offensive

Always was offensive.

Dry your eyes

Whose eyes are wet?

She said she was slightly annoyed 🤷‍♀️.

I have always taken it to mean tantrum (which is one of its meanings in the dictionary)

Yes, it used used to describe tantrums, now think about why the word paddy might mean a tantrum. Have a think, see what you can come up with.

It’s a phrase I’ve known and used my entire life and never had any idea ever that it’s offensive to Irish people. Most people I know will have used it at some point. Generally to describe someone (I can’t even think of another word for it!) getting really mad and acting aggressive over nothing, so yeah a tantrum basically but used for adults too.

(Scottish)

My family are Irish but still use the word paddy!

it’s not about the word “paddy”. Paddy by itself is not offensive. It becomes offensive when you use it to perpetuate a negative stereotype about a nation of people. Like calling a tantrum a “paddy”.

@OhDoGrowUp people seem to be just reading what they want to read.
I don't understand why people are making out like I was disgusted or "crying". I wasn't

I am Irish. It is an offensive term. That was never up for debate even though it seems to have gone that way. I didn't insult this woman, attack her or get tremendously outraged.
I was slightly annoyed.

“It’s a phrase I’ve known and used my entire life and never had any idea ever that it’s offensive to Irish people“

Absolutely. And now you do, you won’t use it anymore, will you? That’s how it works with thoughtful people!

getting really mad and acting aggressive over nothing.

Acting like a Scot basically then?

NO! I would never say this^^ because it’s racist and I’m not racist.

How would you like it if I (seriously) said the above? Or if I said someone acting aggressively was “going Scottish”? He got all scottish with me, you know, getting aggressive. NOT OK!

It’s fine not to know, but now you do know?

I bet if you researched into the origins of the phrase, it's got nothing to do with being Irish.

It absolutely has. I've never heard anyone but English people use it.

And you put it on here so were obviously looking for a response. Hey ho. You got several.

Maybe she didn't understand the negative connotations of it but using this phrase to an Irish person in Ireland is a bit bloody stupid.

But surely if she didn’t know the negative connotations then it wasn’t stupid of her to say it to an Irish person in Ireland? I’ve heard that phrase many times before and had no idea that was where it originally came from/put the two together, so I imagine she was probably the same?

I’d probably have said something (in a light hearted fashion) about does she know the origin of that term, and it might be wise to stop using it now she’s living in Ireland (or at all, really) in case she upsets anyone. Then if it turns out she did know and she just doesn’t care, you can be as annoyed as you like

She put it on here because lots of people don’t realise it’s offensive. Now they do and some have said they won’t use it again. That’s a good thing isn’t it? And nobody got hurt in the process.

“Can’t say anything these days. It’s bloody political correctness gone mad”

Paddy just means a tantrum... very common in Yorkshire, I've never even linked it to the Irish

@Choo I put up asking if I was right to be slightly annoyed.
Not if the phrase is offensive or not in itself.
Spoiler alert. It is.

I’m going to start referring to people who knowingly and arrogantly use offensive stereotypes as having “done an English”. Plenty of evidence on MN to give that a basis in fact.

I did something similar to a Jewish friend years ago, not realising that the word I used was a slur about Jews. She kept asking me what the word meant exactly and eventually it dawned on me 😟 I was so embarrassed and ashamed 😟