To think that “Irish twins” is an offensive term?

[CroissantwithCheese]

I read a thread on an American pregnancy forum about the term “Irish twins”. The OP posted some gushing statement hoping she was pregnant and that it would mean she had Irish twins. A commenter said it was offensive and I deeply agree. It was an idiom apparently created in the US in the 1800s, referring to the large families of Irish immigrants. It was derogatory, stereotyping the Irish for not having any sort of family planning and not using contraception. But this was hardly their fault as the church had banned contraception. The term has now become some sort of cutesy way of referring to two children born within a year of each other, and seems to be completely accepted. How can that be accepted and not considered offensive?!

Oh and in England, where I now live, when people have had kids less than 12 months apart I have hear

'Dont you have TV'

'Jesus, glutton for punishment'

'God you must have been at it the minute the first was born'

Not sure I like any of them any more than, this term.

It's more tongue in cheek I think, I've heard people describe their own kids as Irish twins. I wouldn't use it but as long as in a joking way it's ok

I do think people should stop being professionally offended and consider if offence is meant. If not, move on. Life is too short and you will make yourself very unhappy.

Ah yes, "professionally offended": the go-to call for people who don't want to change their behaviour no matter how it impacts negatively on others. "Politically correctness gone mad" is also popular.

Golliwogs? No offence intended. Move on.

Calling a Chinese takeaway a "chinky"? Don't be so professionally offended.

Irish twins? Throwing a paddy? That's a bit Irish. PC gorn mad, I tell ya.

Canadian with Irish roots and the term was taught in nursing school as children born less than 12 months apart.
No naïveté that people of all backgrounds have sex.

Are you saying this is a term, taught in Canadian schools Knitclubchatter? Why?

Yes “professionally offended” has long been worn out as the phrase of the choice for those who can’t be arsed to change their language. “I’ll just throw out a PO and shut down the conversation” no, doesn’t cut it anymore. That phrase is stale and fools no-one.

you were being misleading and suggesting you were in the Republic of Ireland as that is what is commonly understood to be ‘ireland’

Yes you were being misleading. I actually thought you may have been making up the claim of being refused the pill because it just wouldn't happen here. Anyway, I'm Irish and not offended by the term irish twins and I don't know anyone who would be offended by it or has been offended by it.

Ican that's exactly my point. Why is it ok to put "Irish" in front of a word or use it in a phrase to make it "funny".

Why can't we just make up phrases with other nationalities as the butt of the joke? Because it's not ok.

I could think of a lot of stereotypical phrases to use but I don't.

Yes it was in nursing training back in the late 70’s. So still commonly used.

I haven't heard that expression for a good few years. It might raise an eye roll from me (Irish) but I wouldn't be offended.

Wrap up, you're going out of your way looking to be offended

I live in a big English City and it is a common term here.If this offends you,you seriously need to get a life,for goodness sake.

Yes you were being misleading. I actually thought you may have been making up the claim of being refused the pill because it just wouldn't happen here.

No I wasn’t. The fact that you think of Ireland as only ROI isn’t my fault.

Icanthat's exactly my point. Why is it ok to put "Irish" in front of a word or use it in a phrase to make it "funny".

Its not to make it funny. It's a term because lots of Irish people did this.

As I said. If you are offended that's fine. But lots of Irish people are not

And FWiW I’m not altogether sure OP started the thread with wholesome intentions. There has been a bit of a pattern here in recent years of people starting an Irish themed thread to instigate exactly what has happened on this thread.

The fact that you think of Ireland as only ROI isn’t my fault.

Totally agree with this. ILoveMaxiBondi said she was in Ireland. She is. The fact that some posters assumed it must be 'their' part of ireland and that people from north of the boarder arent Irish, isnt her fault.

To be fair though, people referring to Irish twins (esp in US) are referring to ROI. It dates back a long time, when we were all a bit colonial and no one ever meant NI when they said Ireland

Passhe herrycoke - surely if it dates back a long time it predates the creation of NI and refers to the whole island?

Thank you Ican!

Pass It dates back a long time, when we were all a bit colonial and no one ever meant NI when they said Ireland

Umm, because NI didn’t exist back then! It referred to the Irish, from Ireland. The island. All of it.

And of course ROI didn’t exist then either.

I just think it’s a stupid saying. Two kids being born in a year, big deal!

There was never a time when we were “all a bit colonial”.

Yes that’s true. I just mean your average American probably wouldn’t have the first idea about NI.

We certainly were all a bit colonial. In you know, colonial times

To be fair though, people referring to Irish twins (esp in US) are referring to ROI. It dates back a long time, when we were all a bit colonial and no one ever meant NI when they said Ireland

Seriously?

See, as an Irish person, this offends me more than the term we are discussing.

People having no fucking clue about Ireland, but insisting on telling Irish people about their own country and its history.

I am from Ireland, northern Ireland. My family in Derry is huge before you even get to second cousins. My mum has 6 sisters and 2 brothers. Who all had loads of kids.

The term Irish twins doesnt refer to ROI at all.

I'm Irish and, actually, an Irish twin (sister is 11 months younger).

Can't manage to be offended by this.