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Origin of "Having a paddy" / "In a paddy"?

Posted by Stuart Cormie on August 21, 2000

"Paddy" here means "tantrum" or "bad mood" or "rage".

Current theories I'm aware of are:

1. "paddy" referring to rice paddies; the phrase may originate from a forces expression relating to being stuck in one!

2. "paddy" relating, derogatively, to an Irish person.

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