bigmick wrote:So (and I ask this in all seriousness) is it fair to say that the term "paddy" being seen as derogatory is a fairly recent phenomenon? Try saying that when you've got a Nuttals Minto in your mouth.
It's just I distictly remember Irish comedians using the term in jokes, "Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a pub, Paddy says....." etc etc etc.
I can't help thinking that sometimes we all allow oursleves to get offended by things are said in the most innoccuous way. That said, if it really is on the taboo list of words (alongside Nigger, Pakki, Yid etc) then I for one will tread carefully around it in the future. I can't remember the last time I used the term mind, it was probably when I was with a load of Irish people and they were using it.
It's a bit complicated Mick.Trading insults between friends is normal and i could accept a mate calling me a 'paddy'.
Calling me a 'fuc.king paddy' however would be a different story.
I'm a different generation to the young lads on here though.I'm the old school who had full body searches getting off the boat at Liverpool or Holyhead.Happened to me almost every trip.
Being a Dubliner around Anfield was a positive in those days though.The local lads treated us so well you wouldn't believe it.
Because "Taff" as far as I'm aware is a geographic group nickname, ie those who come from Wales are sometimes called "Taffs". Just checking, and while we're at it can we clear up "scouser", "cockney", "Manc" (that must be OK surely, it's onamatapeic (well it isn't but you get my drift). Geordie and the like must be Ok, Brummie and all them? It's a bit confusing sometimes particularly when these little sub groups call themselves by these names, and use it in generic terms themselves but others aren't allowed to go there. A good example of that is n!gger, not that I am complaining about not being able to use it, it's a horrible word. A bit like c..., or crevice, that's a dirty word 
, security on the other hand isn't.
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