Vaguely racist (from back when Irish people weren’t considered “white”) connotation of calling all Irish people “Paddy” aside (which is of course fine when the Irish people themselves embrace it), that IS a badge of honor!
Imagine trying to use solidarity with the victims of genocide as an insult! Zionism truly is a form of social psychosis.
It’s only an insult in America I guess to actual Irish people it just sounds daft.
If someone called me a paddy trying to insult me here in the states I would laugh at them.
I’ve heard Paddy used in a derogatory way by English people but it’s been a good while. Tbh I call myself a Paddy so it has limited impact. Heard an American refer to us as potatoes before. Her intent and air of superiority was clear. Didn’t much like that one.
tbf potato is no bad patter, sure they were American? No like them
Yeah absolutely sure. It was up near the Guinness brewery. I used to work near there and the place is full of tourists. I left the office on a street parallel to Thomas Street (just at the flats there if you know the area) and they were on their way back towards town. The street was empty except for me and them (I was coming up behind them and they thought they were alone) and one goes to the other “would you consider marrying a potato?” then they had a little laugh to themselves. I was surprised tbh and more than a little pissed off.
I was walking faster than them and overtook and they were obviously very embarrassed.
Edit: was two young ones. Maybe very early twenties and they meant it in a really derogatory way.
I think the opening quotes in How the Irish Became White tell an amazing story in just a few sentences:
The Irish, who, at home, readily sympathize with the oppressed everywhere, are instantly taught when they step upon our soil to hate and despise the Negro… Sir, the Irish-American will one day find out his mistake.
— Frederick Douglass, May 10, 1853
Passage to the United States seems to produce the same effect upon the exile of Erin as the eating of the forbidden fruit did upon Adam and Eve. In the morning, they were pure, loving, and innocent; in the evening guilty.
— The Liberator, August 11, 1854
The Irish are the blacks of Europe. So say it loud— I’m black and I’m proud.
— The Commitments, 1991
Paddy might have worked as an insult way back when we thought America was anything else than a huge fucking mistake. Today it’s a badge of honour—the worst thing to ever happen to the Irish was “becoming white”.
