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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Rush Limbaugh denies term 'Paddy' for Irish is insulting

Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 05:32 AM

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Talk radio king Rush Limbaugh decided our piece about him criticizing Barack Obama's trip to Ireland was worth commenting on yesterday.

Here is his take on our article that said Irish Americans would be upset that he used the term 'Paddy; to describe Obama.

RUSH: "Apparently I did a Media Tweak of the Day yesterday, and I didn't even know it. There's a blog site out there, IrishCentral.com, and apparently I've really ticked 'em off. I suggested that we ought to start calling Obama "Paddy," which is a rational Irish nickname for Patrick, just call him Paddy because he's out there saying he's the most Irish president we ever had. They say my comments are bound to cause controversy with my Irish Americans because Paddy is offensive and used in a pejorative context. Really? I had no clue. So another bunch people offended. My gosh, you cannot avoid 'em."

If he had no clue that the term Paddy is often seen as pejorative I am a little surprised.

Calling every person of a particular race by one specific name, whether it is Paddies, Guido, Hymies (remember Jesse Jackson?) is considered offensive by many especially those on the receiving end.

I don' say this as a politically correct point, I say it as a fact.

Racists like 19th century Punch cartoonist Thomas Nast used Paddy all the time as a pejorative to describe the Irish who landed in America, He portrayed Irish Catholics as ape-like creatures.

The term 'Paddy' is definitely seen as pejorative in Britain where it carries a harder edge than in Ireland or over here.

I'm not saying it is the greatest insult in the world or even close, but it is seen as pejorative by many , unlike what Rush says.

Paddy no more is what I say.

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Mike7571 | May 29, 2011, 01:11 AM EDT

I can't help but think if a left winger had said the same thing as Limbaugh, you wouldn't have blinked. On the other hand, at least you got a lot of free publicity...

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Woodkern | May 29, 2011, 12:27 AM EDT

Mháirín67, Do you really think that these Freepers ever book flights over, or even hold passeports? I'd be surprised if they so much as step outside the confines of their mothers' basements, except, of course, to board the AOH-chartered bus to "da friggin' city" every March 17th.

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CitizenWhy | May 29, 2011, 12:15 AM EDT

Perhaps Paddy is a perfidious term because it has been a favorite name among the English aristocracy.

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seanomelbourne | May 29, 2011, 12:02 AM EDT

baileyBD!!Try using the N word and see the reaction you get,then go to Dublin and use the "Paddy"word and compare the reactions.

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baileyBD | May 28, 2011, 10:47 PM EDT

I thought the irish were tough! My father is 100% Irish and I am an Irish American and I really am suprised such a fuss is being raised over this silly issue. He was using the term to point out that Obama is a poser and only Irish when it is convenient for him to be. Find something truly important to get upset about.

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Mairin67 | May 28, 2011, 10:35 PM EDT

I can only venture to guess that the folks on here who think that calling anyone a "Paddy" in the context of knowing or assuming they are Irish and also not knowing their real name, is ok....You are 100% wrong and shame on you for calling yourselves Irish....you are probably the same folks who wear green on your flight to Ireland...cuz sure, doesn't everyone in Ireland wear green???? I've also listened to plenty of Limbaugh, I am ashamed to admit. He is pure entertainment and I can definitly confirm that he is an IDIOT!! And anyone who believes every word he says plays right into his money making media frenzy. Nice work!

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398669 | May 28, 2011, 09:59 PM EDT

Since you're so big on facts where did he deny it?

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seanomelbourne | May 28, 2011, 08:38 PM EDT

As an Irishman I can assure you that to call an Irishman a "paddy"is insulting and P-g Limbaugh knows it. pflynn70 and his ignorant friends also know but they would rather plead ignorant.

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LilPaddy | May 28, 2011, 06:59 PM EDT

I was going to comment but read what pflynn70 wrote (2 comments below) and he expressed exactly what I was intending to say!!! Thank you pflynn70... Paddy.

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JohnKinMD | May 28, 2011, 06:45 PM EDT

I just got back from Ireland and a bid bus used for party groups was called " The Paddywagon", and did they party.

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pflynn70 | May 28, 2011, 06:41 PM EDT

It seems that just the poor idiot liberals are the ones who are attacking Rush for his "Paddy" statement.They look at anything to meet their agenda. I'm very much Irish, my name happens to be Patrick and I'm not at all offended.

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haikued2 | May 28, 2011, 05:17 PM EDT

In Darky Kelly's one evening a fellow walked up, extended his hand and said "Hi, my name is Paddy O'Dei" My dear wife, thinking he was kidding extended her hand and said "And I am Molly Malone!" Well he was Paddy O'Dei and his business cards proved it. Obviously, he didn't think it was an insult to call himself "Paddy"... Do you think it is just the lace curtain Irish who don't have any sense of being Irish...seems they want to be English...don't forget your humble beginnings, it is what formed the good character of the Irish people who have had to overcome so much to remain Irish in their souls.

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AMERICAPHILE | May 28, 2011, 04:37 PM EDT

RUSH IS RIGHT! HE AND FAIR & BALANCED FOX NEWS NEED TO BRING UP THE DISGUSTING SPECTACLE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II AND OBAMA APPEASING THE GURU MAGGOTS BY BLABBERING TO THEM IN THAT LEPRECHAUN LANGUAGE!!!! SO MUCH FOR A UNITED FRONT AGAINST TERRORISM!!!!!

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AngelPrecious | May 28, 2011, 04:31 PM EDT

I have actually never listened to Limbaugh but with that said, I would bet that the ones bashing him the most haven't either. Possibly, they are like sheep, believing the opinions of people like the author of this article.

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fedupirish | May 28, 2011, 03:53 PM EDT

Rush Limbaugh, excrement. Ignore him, and he may go away, as his ratings of late may suggest.

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