Irish as Patty's pig

Posted by ESC on November 22, 2005

In Reply to: Irish as Patty's pig posted by Michael on November 21, 2005

: Where does the term "Irish as Patty's pig derive? Why is the pig referred to as Irish?

I am guessing that it is "Paddy's pig."

"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."