Skip to main content

Throwing a paddy 

A dated and offensive expression generally used by English people to describe someone having an over the top strop.

Offensively refers to Irish people as "paddys" and their "over the top sulking" when it came to the English stealing Irish land, pillaging and their refusal to grant the Irish their independence for a long time.
It implies unreasonableness, obstinacy and an inability to control the temper (which go nicely with drunkeness and violence of course).

Outdated expression thats up there with the likes of "working like a black"
What are you throwing a paddy for?
He wouldn't turn off the tv so I threw a paddy
Throwing a paddy by cupantae94 February 18, 2017
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

Prices in USD. Free US shipping. International shipping and regional book fees are shown before payment.

Throwing a paddy 

Offensive expression used to describe someone having a tantrum by comparing someone to a "paddy". Unsurprisingly it's an expression only used by the English.
Throwing a paddy by maria90 March 31, 2017

Throwing A Paddy 

Throwing a tantrum, exploding in anger/frustration over something trivial.

Not related to the offensive term for the Irish 'Paddy' in any more way than the term Paddy field.
He couldn't get tickets for the last Take That concert and threw a right paddy.

Where's Sue?

Oh, she broke a fingernail and now she's throwing a paddy in her room.
Throwing A Paddy by minerva1961 November 19, 2010

Throwing a Paddy 

An endearing term to describe someone having a tantrum over something menial. Clearly created after a fella called Paddy went off de walls, nothing to do with those chaps on the Emerald Isles at all.
"My teacher threw a right paddy when I said I didn't have my homework".

"Jesus, look at Susan throwing a paddy again."
More from Urban Dictionary
The phenomenon where adults salivate at children's toys
Every time I walk into the toy aisle, I catch myself kidulting over the latest action figures and LEGO sets!
kidulting by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
Word of the Day on October 4, 2026
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”

Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
According to the boffins downstairs, the murderer used a serrated blade.
Boffin by Agnon February 11, 2023
Word of the Day on October 3, 2026

Pee Calculus

When you have to pee in a movie but don’t want to miss anything, and must do the following mental equation: will the amount I have to pee cause enough discomfort to diminish my attention capacity for the remainder of the movie to an extent which is greater than the amount of the movie I would miss by making a mad dash to the restroom.
I saw Satantango last night, wonderful film but by the 5th hour I had to start doing pee calculus.
Pee Calculus by anorlondo October 1, 2026
Word of the Day on October 2, 2026
Load more