Mar 17
If You Must Abbreviate…
Today is St. Patrick’s Day.
Patrick is an Irish name that became famous because of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was a man, of course, and Patrick is a male name.
Patricia, it should go without saying, is a female variant of Patrick. Patty is a nickname for Patricia; Patty is the feminine form.
If you want to abbreviate St. Patrick’s Day, it’s St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day: Paddy is the masculine nickname for Patrick.
Most seem to know that once it is mentioned, yet just count how many people try to wish you a “Happy St. Patty’s Day!”
March 17th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I was thinking about this today as I drove around town looking at various signs. You are absolutely right. Perhaps it would help people to remember if they knew that Patrick is actually “Padraic” which would lead to Paddy, eh?
Happy Shamrock Day.