Q: I have seen in some movies that folks refer to some Irish people as "Patty" and wondered if it was related to St. Patrick of the St. Patrick's Day legend?
A: Paddy is a slang term in British English for an Irish person. It is a diminutive of the Irish forename Padraig, meaning 'Patrick,' and although it is also in use as an ordinary forename its use as slang is now considered offensive or contemptuous by many people. St Patrick's Day is celebrated because of Saint Patrick who was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing christianity to Ireland.