paddy

Everyday

1. A paddy, or paddy field, is a flooded field where rice is grown. tree →
2. Paddy is rice that has not yet been husked. tree →
3. (UK, informal) A paddy is a fit of bad temper: «He's in a paddy». tree →
4. (offensive, slang) «Paddy» is an old insulting word for an Irish person; do not use it. tree →
5. Paddy is also a name, a short form of Patrick. tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons it is used about farming in Asia, where rice grows in water. In UK homes a child having a tantrum may be said to «throw a paddy». As a name it is common in Ireland. The insulting use is a trap: it should not be used about Irish people.

Examples

• Rice grows in a paddy field. tree →
• Farmers plant rice in flooded paddies. tree →
• The terraced paddies climbed the hill. tree →
• (UK) My little brother threw a paddy at the shop. tree →
• (UK) Don't get in a paddy, it's only a game. tree →
• Paddy is my uncle's name. tree →
• Water buffalo work in the paddy fields. tree →
• The paddy is dried before the husk is removed. tree →

Note

Plural: paddies. The temper meaning is informal British. The ethnic-insult use is rude and hurtful. As a name, it has a capital letter: Paddy.