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?!

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

In which case they would assume it's all ine country and not differentiate.

If you are Itish and I mean, if. Learn your history.

Americans aren’t telling Irish people about their own history by using the term Irish twin. What makes you think that?

Passthecherrycoke

you are telling us. You have no clue NI hasnt always been a seperate country

and, actually, an Irish twin

But not actually though. That’s the whole point of the discussion.

Actually, I wonder if we're Irish triplets. My sister was born 11 months after me and my brother 11 months after her.

How my mum coped with three under three I shall never know.

Icandothisallday My dad's side of the family is Derry too. Masses of us there.

My dad's side of the family is Derry too. Masses of us there.

Ah really? When I was born we all lived on and around Creggan. Spread out a bit now though.

ILoveMaxBondi Yes, actually. The phrase refers to siblings born very close together...which describes me and mine.

The "point of the discussion" is whether it's offensive. i don't think so and since I am one of those that people are choosing to take offence on behalf of my POV is relevant.

Icandothisallday

Passthecherrycoke

you are telling us. You have no clue NI hasnt always been a seperate country

Is that some sort of joke? That’s the weirdest post. I have no idea where you’ve got that from. You’re either mixing me up with someone else or this thread has made you so hysterical you’re not thinking straight

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

That's all well and good but you can't pretend that living in Derry is the same as living in the Republic. Different currency, different governments, different laws.

Not remotely offended, I live in the north and it is common to hear of families who say they have such.
It seems a rather common saying .

Very pleased to hear that Intothe has been banned for her racist, goady posts. Thanks @MNHQ

I’m from dublin. Have said Irish twins all my life.

That's all well and good but you can't pretend that living in Derry is the same as living in the Republic. Different currency, different governments, different laws.

I didnt say it was the same.

In fact I posted that they were very different. However, they are both Ireland.

Nice line in smugness there @MarDhea.

In fact I posted that they were very different. However, they are both Ireland

Yes they are, I didn't dispute that.

My DSis and dbro are Irish twins. Can’t see how the term is offensive.

I'm Irish and have no issue with this. It's a pretty common saying, as far as I'm aware.

Never heard that term before.

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

Clearly you dont have a clue. No one uses ROI twins.

Yes they are, I didn't dispute that.

I didnt say you do. That was in reply to you telling me they are different. Which was something I had already said.

Alsohuman so you think her comments should stand? You think she shouldnt have been banned?

I will ask you again. Do you tell people who say they are Scottish, that they arent, because their passports dont say Sxottish?

*Scottish

Icandothisallday I don’t really know what you’re on about now tbh, but you have completely misunderstood my point.

I’m Irish and i would laugh if someone said that to me

Iolas 😟