Paddy

From Irish Pád(raig) (“Patrick”) + English -y.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpædi/
  • (Canada, US) IPA^(key): [ˈpʰæɾi]

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ædi
• Homophone: paddy

Paddy (plural Paddys)

1. An Irish nickname for Patrick.
   • 1917, Bert Lee et al., Paddy McGinty's Goat:

     ...He jumped into the water as frisky as a whale
     Swam around the U-boat wagging his little tail
     He upped with his horn and he stuck it in the boat
     And sent them all to Heligoland did Paddy McGinty's goat...

Paddy (plural Paddies)

1. (slang, sometimes offensive) An Irish person.

   Synonym: Pat

   • 1996, Pierre L. Van Den Berghe, Ernest Cashmore, Ellis Cashmore, Dictionary of Race and Ethnic Relations, page 182:

     It is in this context of Irishphobia that the racist caricature of the drunken, violent, ignorant Paddy was established.