paddy

¹

[ pad-ee ]

noun

, plural pad·dies.

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

Paddy

²

[ pad-ee ]

noun

, plural Pad·dies.

1. Slang: Often Offensive. an Irishman or a person of Irish descent.
2. a male given name.

Paddy

¹

/ ˈpædɪ /

noun

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

paddy

²

/ ˈpædɪ /

noun

1. Also calledpaddy field a field planted with rice
2. rice as a growing crop or when harvested but not yet milled

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 Patrick

Origin of paddy²

from Malay pādī

Origin of paddy³

C19: from Paddy