St. Pattys vs. St. Paddys – Which is Correct?
The correct and widely accepted colloquial abbreviation for St. Patrick’s Day is St. Paddy’s. The term “St. Patty’s” is considered a common misspelling and incorrect. “Paddy” is derived from the Irish name Pádraig, the original form of Patrick, making “Patty” an inaccurate diminutive.
St. Pattys or St. Paddys – Which is Correct?
When referring to the beloved Irish holiday, the correct abbreviation is St. Paddy’s. The alternative, “St. Patty’s,” is a common misspelling and should be avoided. The confusion often stems from a phonetic misunderstanding or a lack of awareness regarding the Irish origin of the name. “Paddy” is an affectionate diminutive of the Irish name Pádraig, which is the equivalent of Patrick. “Patty,” on the other hand, is typically a diminutive for Patricia or refers to a flat cake of ground meat. Using “St. Patty’s” is not only incorrect but can also be seen as disrespectful to Irish culture.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paddy’s | Noun | The correct, colloquial abbreviation for St. Patrick’s Day, derived from the Irish name Pádraig. | “Let’s wear green and celebrate St. Paddy’s this year!” |
| St. Patty’s | Noun | An incorrect and commonly mistaken abbreviation for St. Patrick’s Day. | “Please avoid using ‘St. Patty’s’ as it is a misspelling of the holiday.” |
How to Use St. Paddy’s
“St. Paddy’s” is an informal and affectionate abbreviation for St. Patrick’s Day. It is widely used in casual conversation, social media, and informal writing when referring to the holiday. While less formal than “St. Patrick’s Day,” it is perfectly acceptable and understood globally. Always remember to include the apostrophe before the ‘s’ to denote possession, as it refers to “Patrick’s Day.”
Example 1: “Are you planning anything special for St. Paddy’s this weekend?”
Example 2: “The city always holds a fantastic parade on St. Paddy’s.”
Example 3: “Don’t forget to wear something green for St. Paddy’s!”
What are the different forms of St. Paddy’s?
The term “St. Paddy’s” itself is a shortened, informal form. The full, formal name of the holiday is “St. Patrick’s Day.” Another common informal variation is “Paddy’s Day.” All these terms refer to the same celebration of Saint Patrick.
Etymology of the word St. Paddy’s
The abbreviation “Paddy” is an Anglicized diminutive of the Irish name Pádraig, which is the Irish equivalent of the name Patrick. Saint Patrick is known as Pádraig in Ireland. The apostrophe ‘s’ in “St. Paddy’s” indicates possession, meaning “Patrick’s Day.” This linguistic tradition correctly honors the Irish roots of the holiday and its patron saint.
Related Concepts
Understanding the origins of names is key to distinguishing between “Paddy” and “Patty.” “Paddy” comes directly from “Pádraig,” the Irish form of “Patrick.” This makes it the correct and culturally sensitive diminutive for anything related to St. Patrick. In contrast, “Patty” is typically a diminutive for the female name “Patricia” or refers to a food item like a hamburger patty. The phonetic similarity between “Pat” (a common short form of Patrick) and “Patty” often leads to the confusion. However, adhering to “Paddy” respects the authentic Irish linguistic tradition.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The pub was decked out in green and gold, ready for the annual St. Paddy’s celebrations.”
- “He recounted tales of his ancestors, particularly fond of their traditions surrounding St. Paddy’s.”
- “News reports often feature vibrant images of parades and festivities from around the world on St. Paddy’s.”
- “A character in the novel remarked, ‘There’s no better place to be than Dublin on St. Paddy’s!'”
- “The children’s book explained the history of shamrocks and leprechauns, all leading up to St. Paddy’s.”
St. Paddy’s Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| St. Patrick’s Day | The official and formal name of the holiday celebrating Saint Patrick. |
| Paddy’s Day | A shorter, informal, and affectionate version of St. Paddy’s Day. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Why is “St. Patty’s” considered incorrect?
“St. Patty’s” is incorrect because “Patty” is a diminutive typically associated with the female name Patricia or refers to a food item. The correct abbreviation, “Paddy,” is derived from the Irish name Pádraig, which is the original Irish form of Patrick.
Question 2: Is it “St. Patrick’s Day” or “St. Paddy’s Day”?
Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. “St. Patrick’s Day” is the full, formal name of the holiday. “St. Paddy’s Day” is a common, informal, and affectionate abbreviation. Both refer to the same celebration.
Question 3: Where does the name “Paddy” come from?
“Paddy” is an Anglicized nickname for the Irish name Pádraig. Pádraig is the Irish equivalent of the name Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland whom the holiday celebrates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct and culturally appropriate abbreviation for St. Patrick’s Day is St. Paddy’s. The alternative, “St. Patty’s,” is a common misspelling that should be avoided as it does not align with the Irish linguistic origins of the name. Understanding that “Paddy” comes from “Pádraig” (the Irish for Patrick) clarifies why this distinction is important.
Pro Tip: Using “St. Paddy’s” instead of “St. Patty’s” demonstrates respect for Irish culture and attention to detail, which can enhance your professional reputation in both written and spoken communication.
