1 definition by yoyoyokn
A subculture in America that still practices aspects of the culture that their Irish ancestors brought over hundreds of years ago. Different from the actual Irish since Irish-Americans culturally are more similar to the 1800's Irish than modern Irish. Comparable to Italian-Americans, Jewish-American, Polish-American and Asian-Americans. The whole Irish-American subculture was generated back in the 1800's when Irish Catholic immigrants faced adversity from the White Protestants already in America so they bonded together in neighborhoods and retained their heritage. This is why St. Patrick's Day is a giant celebration in cities like Chicago, Boston, and New York. A lot of people claim they are Irish-American like a lot of people try to claim they are Italian-American/Polish-American, just because they are boring typical white Americans whose genealogy traces back to England or Germany.
My cousin Kevin is a typical Irish-American. Friendly, hard working, and visits Ireland at least once a year.
by yoyoyokn November 3, 2008