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The Kitchen Table

I Was Reprimanded About St. 'Patty's' Day

14 years ago

Well, "reprimanded" is far too strong. Perhaps I should have said "educated". I wrote to someone about St. Patty's day, and was told nicely that "Patty" is wrong; it should be "Paddy". And then was told that, actually, shortening it at all verges on disrespectful.

I guess I did know that Patty is wrong and Paddy is correct; I've seen it but had forgotten. I'm happy that my Irish-heritage friend corrected me.

So, happy St. Patrick's Day (or St. Paddy's Day, if you wish) to all!

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Comments (14)

marlingardener
14 years ago
Well, at least you didn't say "Erin go bra".
sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
St. Patrick's Day eve, actually. 'Twas a very important holiday in my girlhood home, and all of us kids wore green. We had corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes for dinner and my father regaled us with family stories of the Murphy clan.
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I don't know what gray corned beef is, I've only ever seen the red briskets. Corned beef brisket is really simple to prepare - as long as you buy it already 'corned' - you can do that yourself but I don't bother. The instructions should be printed on the package. Open the bag and place the beef, juices and the small bag of seasoning that usually comes with it in a large pan. Cover with water. Boil, reduce to simmer. Simmer under the meat is cooked, about 2 to 3 hours depending on how thick the cut is. You can check to see if it's done when it's readily pierced with a knife.I leave the lid on my Dutch Oven. I usually make 2 briskets at a time because it does shrink as it cooks and I always give meals to my kids to take back home with them. When the meat is done I take it out and place it in pan in a warm oven. Then I bring the water back to a boil and cook the cabbage, red potatoes and carrots. If I only make one brisket then I have room to add the vegetables and can leave the brisket in the pot. When done, trim off the fat and slice on a diagonal.
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I think they are so strict on her because she is an only child. I was the same way with my first. I would parcel out her Easter basket to her a little at a time. Now I'm like...eat it all in one day please and lets get the hidden wrapper phase and the hyperactivity over and done with. ha I relax all the healthy eating rules on the holidays. My kids thought they were in hog heaven with all the desserts, candy and sodas at their disposal, but this week it's back to being health conscious. I just drew a blank, was it you who is expecting another grandbaby? It's so nice today as long as the sun is out. I had to take my mom to the eye dr unexpectedly this morning. Part of her vitreous gel stuff in her eye detached from the optic nerve. They thought she had a detached retina, but it's not that bad although without treatment she could go blind. She was getting floaters and flashes in her eyes and she has a dark spot that she sees on one eye. He said that will fade in about 3 months. Anyway, we had lunch and stopped at the TS on the way home. I got some books and what looks like a hand carved oblong wooden bowl and a long peg board for a buck. Got chatting with a woman in there and I was thinking about you. Was wondering if we'd met like that in a TS if we'd have walked past each other or hit it off. ha She showed me all her finds, some she was buying for an elderly woman that didn't get out much and some very pretty glass vases that were a different almost turquoise blue color. Again I thought of you and your totems. She invited me to her community yard sale in May. I'll have to remember to keep an eye out for it in the paper. We didn't stay long so I managed to keep my purchases to a minimum. ha When we got home the sun was warming things up so much that I put on shorts and DH and I went out and laid on the hammock. We were out there for about an hour and the sun went behind the clouds and I got cold and had to come in. ha It was nice while it lasted. Warm weather will soon be here and I'm looking forward to it. Ready to do yard work and add a few new things to our yard. Maybe we'll get that firepit done this year, the playground area and the back flower beds put in??? I hope anyway. ~Anj
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suzieque
Original Author
14 years ago
hahaha, marlingardner!

Yes, thanks Sheilajoyce. I should've said "tomorrow".
patti43
14 years ago
Sorry your friend felt the need to "educate" you when your intentions were so sweet. The world would go on whether it was Patty or Paddy.

Marlingardner, you're a stitch!
carol_in_california
14 years ago
Ah....fond memories of St. Patrick's Day.
I used to work for an Irishman who closed our office on the 17th, served Irish coffee and sang us Irish songs.
RIP Dr. O'Meara.
sheesh
14 years ago
My Uncle Paddy's name was spelled Phadraig in Ireland, which is the correct Irish or Gaelic spelling. When he came here as a young teen in the 1920's, the spelling was changed to "Paderick" which he kept all his life; his nickname was spelled "Paddy" both in the US and Ireland.

I think it's always been spelled St. Patrick or Patty's day in the US, so you weren't wrong, suzieque, and your friend was technically incorrect. There is more than one way to spell Patrick, as there is with many names - Suzy, Suzie, Susie, for instance! As for being disrespectful? Hogwash!

Sherry (Sherri, Sherrie, Cheri, you get it...)
gemini40
14 years ago
It really is not a term the ' irish" like , at least here in the Boston area anyway.
On St. Patricks day the Irish were known to go out and celebrate, some becoming intoxicated. The police would come through the city in the evening and haul the very intoxicated off in wagons. Many of celebrants were named Pat.The wagons became known as Paddy Wagons even to this day, that is what they are called.
Hence the Irish in Boston anyway take offense at the holiday being called St Pattys/Paddys Day, for that reason.
yayagal
14 years ago
Gemini I was just going to say essentially what you said. Born and raised in Boston that was the prevailing sentiment.
cynic
14 years ago
Yet another example where someone tries to find offense in anything. I think I'd send an email back and wish them the worst St. Patty's day ever! LOL

I maintain you can say "good morning" and someone will be offended.
softball_80
14 years ago
Saint Patty is perfectly acceptable.
Drinking non Irish beer is perfectly acceptable.
Drinking beer without green food coloring in it is perfectly acceptable.
Drinking if you're not even Irish is OK too.
jannie
14 years ago
I think either one is right-Paddy or Patty. After all,it's Saint Patrick. Enjoy the day. I'm not Irish but I will use any excuse to have a great day. Did you hear about the Irish Rapper, Fifty O'Cent?
jannie
14 years ago
Oops-I got the joke wrong. It's Five O'Cent the Irish Rapper.
linda_in_iowa
14 years ago
Gemini, I always wondered where the term "paddy wagon" came from. Thanks for the info. My mom also used the term "black mariah" for a paddy wagon. I will have to goggle that term.
suzieque
Original Author
14 years ago
cynic, my friend didn't take offense. It was just a friendly correction. Since then I have looked it up on the internet and confirmed that the "correct" way is "Paddy's". Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter as long as the sentiment is right I'm glad to know the originatino of Paddy Wagon, too! Thank you, gemini.

In any case, Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone, of Irish heritage or not.

Suzieque

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