Paddy?

pragmatic1 wrote: »

It isnt different to the word paki. Its all about context. If someone calls me a ****in Paddy bastard, its no different to using other racist terms.

Have you ever seen or heard the word paki being used in a jokey way, in banter? I certainly haven't, I have only ever seen or heard it being used in a racist, derogatory way, as said, to describe people from a region, not just from a country.

If someone calls you a ****in Paddy bastard, I think its the ****in and the bastard that is the problem, what if they called you a ****in Irish bastard, how would you feel?

major bill wrote: »

I disagree.. the word paddy is used on both people in the north and south and i wouldnt think a northern Unionist would take too kindly to been called a Paddy so which brings me back to the original point why are some words more tolerant than others?.

But then again, I don't think they'd take too kindly to being called Irish either.

KeithAFC wrote: »

I don't think it is offensive. Could be worse i suppose.

Well you wouldn't...

Depends on context IMO. It doesn't seem to be derogatory most of the time.

pragmatic1 wrote: »

The ****in and bastard doesnt even need to be in it. I used to work in a call centre dealing with British BT customers and "Paddy" was used in a non-joking way all the time. The word implied I was thick and/or a peasant.

I see what you're saying, but as has been pointed out on this thread, the word Irish is also used by people in the same way - thats a bit Irish, but obviously you don't object to being called Irish. People will manipulate words to suit themselves. And if they think they're getting to you, they'll keep doing it.

Now I'll admit, my Dad used to drive me mad when we lived in England, he'd make a joke out of it himself, "ah, I'm only a thick Irishman" and we would have huge arguments about it. He would say though, that by him saying it, they couldn't, and it kind of showed up how stupid their use of it was. I still don't agree with him though:p

People can use the word Paddy to hurt, but it can also be used in other ways, so I have no problem with it.

murpho999 wrote: »

Firstly will people stop saying it's fine because we "Paddy's Day"?

That's because it's an abbreviation Patrick and nothing to with Paddy being Irish.

For me the term 'Paddy' which is mostly used by English people is most certainly offensive and I can't think of any use where it's not? It's normally associated with the 'Thick Paddy' connotation and for me is not a term of endearment. However it does greatly depend on the tone and context in which it is said. For me it's right up there with 'Kraut', '******' and 'Paki', and none of those are friendly terms.

After all, the term Paddywagon comes from that too and that's also not nice.

I have been called Paddy by English people (Very rarely though) and I didn't like it one bit. I would just respond that my name is not Paddy and that put them in their place.

I can't believe the previous poster who said his Dad was called 'Paddy McGinty'.....how can you not find that derogatory!

Her Dad, and it was a Val Doonican song. It depends on the context, he worked with a Windy Miller, a Chalky White, etc. These were his mates that called him that, just as he called them by the nicknames they had.

I live in the UK for a long time. I hated being called "a Paddy". But....a lot of people I got on really well with called me Paddy and it never bothered me. I'm a complicated man :pac:

I spent a whole summer on a boat with a lockkeeper calling me Paddy. Lovely fella. I called him John. In late August I heard his name was Pete and he asked me my name. After 10 secs of silence, I said "John it is then", he said "Great stuff Paddy!" and we were both happy.

I hung around with a gang of Indian lads I played football with. I always called them Pakis and they called me Paddy, after we'd had a chat about our mutual experiences of racism. People often looked funny at us when we were out and heard us speak to each other like that. In the middle of a match one day an opposition player I'd nicked the ball off called me a Paddy. He got a clatter from a nearby Paki.

You can use very ordinary words with a lot of spite and venom, it doesn't take a racist term. You can use the most awful language with nothing but affection and respect. Words just convey thoughts and feelings - they're the bit that can be ugly and hateful.