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Ethical dilemmas

Is saying ‘having a paddy’ racist?

212 replies

PanickyBrum1 · 09/07/2018 18:11

I’m a new parent who posted for the first time on mumsnet recently after having a very tired and at times unreasonable panic about things. Some of the things I wrote were not fair and I rightly got picked up on them and some things that the community attacked me about I would stand by. But one thing I’m genuinely not sure whether I should feel bad for was being condemned for using the phrase ‘having a paddy’.

To give context I was describing my own behaviour and although I’m half Irish by blood, the whole Irish thing hadn’t even occurred to me.

OP posts:

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JaneJeffer · 09/07/2018 22:15

Wear a white suit.

Strokethefurrywall · 09/07/2018 22:18

I was on your original thread.

I'm not going to weigh on the Paddy thing, but I genuinely thought many posters were total arseholes, so much so I commented.

If it had a been an exhausted new mother posting with her concerns you can be sure the rabid dogs wouldn't have been jumping down her throat quite as viciously as they did with you, even when you apologised.

AWomanIsAnAdultHumanFemale · 09/07/2018 22:19

Well that’s the thing, you’re already on shaky ground when you decide to do stereotypes. Having said that, on st patricks day, my home town (in NI) is full of leprechaun hats with red hair and beard. Probably fine because it’s irish people doing it themselves. I don’t know how it’s celebrated anywhere else as I don’t go anywhere else.

PanickyBrum1 · 09/07/2018 22:19

Forgive my ignorance Jane is that an Irish thing or do you mean not to take part in the fancy dress?

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WonderfulWorldBeautifulPeople · 09/07/2018 22:19

I don't think there's anything wrong with wearing something traditionally Irish. As long as it is tasteful.

I went to a fancy dress party where everyone had a country to base their costume around. I got Africa (which was funny as it isn't a county but the host was a little dim to say the least). Anyway I have African family, though I am only part African myself, and wore traditional African dress. It didn't offend anyone and was in my eyes a celebration of African culture.

The host had Germany and I don't even want to say who she dressed as. It went down like a lead balloon and two people cut contact with her afterwards because of what their family had been through in the holocaust.

Just be careful and don't turn up as anything which could be close to home or hurtful.

PanickyBrum1 · 09/07/2018 22:23

WonderfulWorldBeautifulPeople

The host had Germany and I don't even want to say who she dressed as. It went down like a lead balloon and two people cut contact with her afterwards because of what their family had been through in the holocaust.

OMG I’m guessing it wasn’t as David Hasslehoff....wow

OP posts:

Celticmombella · 09/07/2018 22:25

In Irish, living in Ireland and find it very offensive and I would call you out on it if you said it in my company.

Laineymc7 · 09/07/2018 22:27

I’m Irish and it’s one of the things I hate to hear. Really winds me up. I find it offensive. I’ve only ever heard it used in England.

WonderfulWorldBeautifulPeople · 09/07/2018 22:27

@PanickyBrum1 it was quite a wow moment. It wasn't just the costume, it's a long story... I'm in no way saying you're the type of person to dress up as a genocidal mass murderer, by the way. Just that what may be funny to some (the example I used certainly wasn't funny!), may not be to others. I would go for a traditional costume (which you can hire and are really quite lovely).

JaneJeffer · 09/07/2018 22:28

This!

Is saying ‘having a paddy’ racist?

JaneJeffer · 09/07/2018 22:29

An Irish dancing costume would be suitable.

NT53NJT · 09/07/2018 22:29

Only ever heard that phrase used by northerners to mean that someone is having a moan and a tantrum . Never thought about Irish people or racism behind it. A paddy means tantrum to me 😂

pennycarbonara · 09/07/2018 22:31

Ireland fancy dress - would go as Mrs Doyle from Father Ted!

uthredswife · 09/07/2018 22:34

I'm irish, north Dublin. I have never heard the phrase ever. A strawpoll of my friends from South Dublin and the west say they have never heard it said. It's certainly not a common turn of phrase as I've never even heard it on Irish TV or radio.

I don't like hearing it and I'm always surprised how this comes up on mumsnet and the use of it is defended. While it's not racist it is xenophobic

makeitso · 09/07/2018 22:34

That thread was an eye opener Jane. No luxury in Ireland 😆 Yup we all live in caves.

grasspigeons · 09/07/2018 22:34

Well I never. I literally had no idea it referred to the Irish. I've said it loads and am really embarrassed now to know what it means. I thought it was an actual alternative for tantrum

FrangipaniBlue · 09/07/2018 22:36

That's the whole point. Just because you didn't realise the link doesn't mean it's "nothing to do with them being Irish" and not offensive.

You misunderstood me slightly @harrietm87 I meant when people use it where I live it's not intended to mean someone is thick or Irish, but simply that they're having a strop.

Like I said though, I was completely unaware of the origins or connotations until MN educated me and certainly wouldn't use the phrase now that I do know as I'm not down with offending anyone!!

Interesting someone mentioned "pitching a fit" earlier as being offensive, I wholeheartedly agree but what about "throwing a hissy fit"? That's another common one where I live that I'm personally more likely to use than "having a paddy", but you've all now got me wondering whether that could be offensive too?!

uthredswife · 09/07/2018 22:36

As for fancy dress, tight ringlets, knee high white socks pushed to mid calf and skater style dress with a few Celtic swirls stuck to it 😋

JaneJeffer · 09/07/2018 22:38

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makeitso · 09/07/2018 22:48

bookmum08 · 09/07/2018 22:48

DrMantis maybe the word did start as an insult but language changes over time and I am seriously suprised that people think that's it meaning. I am quite shocked. I can't imagine many children hearing the word Paddy would have any clue it has a connection to being Irish. Most people don't know the origin of lots of words how words have changed over time.

gettingtherequickly · 09/07/2018 22:48

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JaneJeffer · 09/07/2018 22:50

I don't think so.

Mrsbclinton · 09/07/2018 23:00

Living in Ireland & never heard it until I opened this thread. You learn something new everyday eh?
I would find it offensive.

malfoyy · 09/07/2018 23:14

It never even occurred to me that it was a reference to the Irish, just thought it was a term for having a strop

My grandfather was Irish and called Patrick this Paddy and my father and now my son have Patrick as a middle name and still it didn't occur to me.

I don't think it's racist, sorry

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