paddy

¹

[pad-ee]

noun

plural

paddies 

1. a rice field.

2. rice, especially in the husk, either uncut or gathered.

Paddy

²

[pad-ee]

noun

plural

Paddies 

1. Slang: Often Offensive.,  an Irishman or a person of Irish descent.

2. a male given name.

paddy

¹

/ ˈpædɪ /

noun

1. Also called: paddy field. a field planted with rice

2. rice as a growing crop or when harvested but not yet milled

Paddy

²

/ ˈpædɪ /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital) an informal, often derogatory, name for an Irishman

paddy

³

/ ˈpædɪ /

noun

1. informal,  a fit of temper

Sensitive Note

This term is used as a neutral nickname or term of address for an Irishman, though it may be perceived as insulting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paddy¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Malay padi “unhusked rice”; currency of this word in the English of India perhaps due to early association with Kannada batta, bhatta “unhusked rice” (from Indo-Aryan; compare Hindi, Marathi bhāt “cooked rice,” Sanskrit bhakhta “food, meal”)

Origin of paddy²

Familiar variant of Irish Padraig Patrick; -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of paddy¹

from Malay pādī

Origin of paddy²

from Patrick

Origin of paddy³

C19: from _Paddy