St. Patrick’s Day can be referred to in informal contexts as “St. Paddy’s Day.” Paddy is the shortened form of the original Irish spelling of Patrick, which is Pádraig, and for this reason is usually preferred over “St. Patty’s Day,” which could also be mistaken for the shortened form of the name Patricia. Older Americans also preferred St. Paddy’s Day to St. Patty’s Day (41 percent vs. 34 percent), while Americans aged 18 to 24 went with St. Patty’s (64 percent to 13 percent). Páidín and Paddy are nicknames for Pádraig, meaning that the true and correct shortened term for St. Patrick's Day is St. Paddy's Day. Related: 140 Irish Blessings Where Did 'St. Patty's Day Every March 17 we are greeted with the traditions of wearing green, parades, corned beef and cabbage, and someone inevitably using the wrong abbreviation for St. Patrick's Day. Before we get into how to abbreviate it, let's first cover why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. St. Patrick, according to The correct abbreviation for Saint Patrick's Day is "St. Paddy's Day," not "St. Patty's Day." The first St. Patrick's Day parade in the United States took place in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1601. How to Abbreviate St. Patrick's Day . Though St. Patrick's Day is celebrated in countries around the world on March 17—with food, lots of beer, parades, and other festivities—the holiday is, at its roots, Irish. You should probably stick to "St. Paddy" unless you want to end up in the green waters of the Chicago River. But why? When it comes to the “St. Patty’s or St. Paddy’s” debate, it helps to know a little about the man behind the holiday. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Britain in A.D. 385. According to the Library of Congress, St. Patrick's Day is “an Irish and Irish-American holiday commemorating the death, as legend has it, of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17 St. Patrick’s Day became a day of celebration in Ireland around the 9th or 10th century. The day chosen for the event was March 17th because it was the day St. Patrick passed away in about 460 A.D. It is the same date people around the globe use today. The heart of the “St. Patty’s or St. Paddy’s” debate. NurPhoto/Getty Images. This March holiday started centuries ago as a feast day to celebrate St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Comedy Show. Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with drinks and laughter at this comedy show featuring some of the city’s best comedians. Where: 945 Bloor St. W. (Comedy Bar) When: March 17 Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $25 online, $30 at the door Starting March 15, the St. Paddy’s Day Bash will feature a stellar line-up of Irish and Celtic entertainment favorites like Arcana Kings, Celtic Rockers, Finnegans Wake and much more. Pair this with all the best brews Fremont Street has to offer, and you end up with the baddest St. Paddy’s Day Bash in town. The best part: it’s a free event! Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. NYC St. Patrick's Day parade 2024: Date, time, route, how to watch live It's St. Paddy's, not St. Patty's Listen here: It's Paddy's Day, not Patty's Day. A friendly guide to properly abbreviating St. Patrick's Day, because your Irish friends are tired of crying into their pints. Our St. Paddy’s Day Menu will be available Monday, March 17th only. We will be also serving our regular menu. Older Americans also preferred St. Paddy’s Day to St. Patty’s Day (41 percent vs. 34 percent), while Americans aged 18 to 24 went with St. Patty’s (64 percent to 13 percent). St. Patrick’s Day is a pretty big deal in America and Ireland. Due to nearly a quarter of Ireland’s population immigrating to America in the late 1800s because of the potato famine, per With a location in Lincoln as well, you’ve got a couple choices on where to enjoy your Lucky Charms eating contest and green beer this St. Paddy’s Day! 5. Good Timin Bar. Downtown O'Neill, Photo Credit: @Kevin_Shupe. Head to Good Timin Bar in O’Neill, the Irish Capital of Nebraska, for an unforgettable St. Patrick's Day bash! Immerse However, that doesn't keep St. Paddy's Day safe. Merriam-Webster notes Paddy is also a term from the 18th century used to describe an Irishman with "a fit of temper."
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() |