Ameliorated words of offensive origin

[Mark A. Mandel]

Lynne Murphy <lynnem at COGS.SUSX.AC.UK> writes:

>>>>>
It comes from 'paddy' not 'patty' of course, since the Irish form of
Patrick is Padraig and is diminuted (how's that for a back-formation?) as
'Paddy'.
<<<<<

Oh, come on, Lynne. As long as we're on a roll, let's do it right. Call it
a back-form.

-- Mark