It’s not Happy St. Patty’s Day, but St. Paddy’s Day. Here’s why

“Paddy derives from the Irish Padraig, hence those mysterious, double-D emeralds,” Campbell writes instead.

“Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and it’s not something you call a man (a man). There’s no sinner in Ireland who calls a Patrick ‘Patty.'”

In recent years, “#PaddyNotPatty” has been a trend on social media in an attempt to inform those crossing the Atlantic about the pattern, who is credited with Christianity in Ireland and, according to legend, lead snakes to the sea.

Robert Savage, interim director of Irish Studies at Boston College, believes the debate has gone crazy for PC.

“I don’t think it bothers anyone here (in the United States) that Patrick doesn’t have a proper reference,” he told CNN.

“Saying Patty’s Day or Paddy’s Day doesn’t mean it’s malicious or disrespectful, but just an abbreviated way of recognizing the holidays.

“It really doesn’t matter as long as people have a great time celebrating Ireland! Political correctness doesn’t extend to St Patty’s Day!”

However, like Savage, he said it didn’t bother him.

“I make fun of my friends here who might call it St. Patty’s Day, but it’s not a big deal,” O’Sullivan said.

“It’s great to have so many people in the US talking about their love for Ireland and their connections to Ireland every March 17, and that’s all that really matters.”

CNN also contacted Ireland’s second export to the United States, U2’s Bono, but has not yet returned any requests for comment.