Irish posters - "having a paddy"

[BarbaraHoward]

Irish posters - can I canvas your opinions on the use of "having a paddy" to mean "having a tantrum"? I've been having a bit of back and forth (well, plenty of forth not much back in truth) with MNHQ over the past day or two and I want to check that I'm not going against the majority view here.

IMO, the phrase is awful, and plainly anti Irish. I know most people using it aren't doing so to slag Irish people off, but the phrase is still awful IMO.

I've been here a long time, and reported the phrase more than I can remember. Usually, it's just deleted right away. Raising it on a thread always derails it as people just go on the offensive.

I reported it yesterday and got the immediate email that it was being checked out, but the post stayed up for hours despite a follow up email, another post and a thread in Site Stuff. It was then edited rather than deleted, which I thought was the norm for offensive language. I reported another use this morning and it's still up.

What are your views? Is this a fight worth having with MNHQ or am I out of step with the majority of Irish posters on here?

Thanks :)

Yes. Hate it. It’s anti-Irish but most people don’t realise that. I particularly dislike the posters that say their grandfather was Irish and therefore they think it’s fine, knowing the history and particularly the common tropes would tell anyone just why it’s an issue but mostly people don’t understand that history.

It's not simple - if someone doesn't know it's offensive because of history ( that may predate their birth) then I think enabling an edit is by far the best

No, I agree with you. It should just be removed.

I'm 30 and never knew this phrase had anything to do with Irish people!

It's offensive. People don't always realise it is, but should accept it when told

HQ should allow people to edit their post once informed or its deleted.

Do you think it should be left to stand, if the poster didn't have anti Irish intentions?

Paddy is a pejorative, offensive term to describe Irish people. And yes the phrase 'having a paddy' is offensive to me as an Irish person living in Britain

Offensive, regardless of intent, and should be deleted. See also 'Irish twins'.

And paddy wagon

I hope you don't mind me invading your board, Welshy here, but I had no idea this was offensive to Irish people. It's not a phrase I use myself but after googling it just now I understand why you'd see it as a slur. I think maybe we all need educating sometimes and even if it's not said to offend it's good to be called out on the origins of this and let people know.

I replied to your post yesterday, have they still allowed it to stand?

I’m Irish and I cannot abide this phrase being used to describe someone having a tantrum. I believe it’s based on 19th century anti-Irish sentiment as evidenced in the hateful cartoons of the period, depicting Irish people as barely human savages.

I find it incredibly offensive and wish MNHQ would shut it down every single time without hesitation.

I'm 66.. never knew it had anything to do with Irish...We have said it for years and years here in Yorkshire. . Meaning a tantrum.
Like the saying says..
You learn something new every day..
Had an ex called Paddy lol.

I only found out the Irish connection at the age of 50

Would have had no idea I was insulting anyone - and my SIL's family is Irish, and use it

My Mum always told me it was used when someone behaved like they needed to be in a padded cell! 🤷‍♀️

It's really just about education. Twenty years ago lots of phrases were jn common usage that we would not use now.
This is one of them.

I agree - most posters don’t realise the meaning behind it but it is very offensive.

God help rice farmers then.

A very offensive term - I'm sure that I have reported it before on a thread.

No, it absolutely should not be left.

and I’m sick of third generation descendants of Irish emigrants to Britain telling me they’re Irish and aren’t offended by it. Just stop.

My Mum's Irish and she uses it. I never linked it in my head as having anything to do with Ireland.

Just asked my Irish friend and he didn't know..
He was brought up to believe it means having a " Paddywack" or throwing a tantrum.

But now you know will you stop using it

I'm of Irish descent and it's a term that I've never used,however last time we were in Ireland,we did see fleets of local tour buses with the name "Paddy Wagon" emblazoned all over them. I was rather surprised to see that. It was 10 years ago,so I assume that they've re named themselves by now?

Irish here and hate it. I also hate how people try to justify continuing using it by saying oh so and so is irish and they don't mind. If your 80 year old uncle used the n word or other racial slurs you wouldn't say oh its grand because they use it.

Add 'beyond the pale' to the list.