Is it Patty or Paddy? Join us for a special Irish edition of 'Live From the Newsroom'

UPDATE: I seem to have struck a nerve this morning in asking for opinions on the use of Patty vs. Paddy when it comes to St. Patrick's Day.

So far Patty is taking a beating.

First response I got was from John, wishing DelcoTimes.com and the Heron's Nest 'Hello From Dublin.'

John pointed out something that most all the commenters have noted: It is never, ever St. Patty's Day. So much for our contest.

In fact, there's actually a website devoted to stamping out the use of Patty in place of Paddy. CLICK HERE to check it out.

Ian noted that the use of Patty is 'extremely insulting.' Patty is short for Patricia, the girl's name, while Paddy is the correct short version of Patrick. "No one in Ireland would dream of calling St. Patrick Patty. Anyone who says Patty is insulting the Irish nation."

Don't be bashful. Join the conversation.

I am sporting a tie today that I wear exactly once every year.

And I’m wearing it a few days early.

It is a Tartan plaid cloth tie that belonged to my father. I’m not exactly sure the entire history of it, but I know that it came from Ireland.

I usually wear it on St. Patty’s Day. This year the holiday falls on a Saturday, so I’ve decided to wear it today.

And also because tonight we’re dedicating our ‘Live From the Newsroom’ show to the legend of the patron saint of the Emerald Isle.

We’ve invited the Cucina Chatter gang to join us and these great Italian folks are going to wow us with some Irish delicacies. Lorraine Ranalli is whipping up that St. Patrick’s Day staple, Irish potatoes. Chef Jacquie will show off her Eric Go Bragh Soup. Chef Dom Condo has a special recipe for Irish Meatballs that I can’t wait to sample. Also joining us tonight will be Donna Viso from Viso’s Bakery in Aston. She’s going to bring some of the shop’s delicacies, St. Joseph’s Cakes.

I’ll fill in where necessary as the ringleader and try to wow everyone with a few Irish stories and a bit of blarney. Blogger Jim Vanore will also spin a few yarns.

Here's a St. Patrick's Day challenge that I'd like to get to the bottom of. Every year I usually get a call from a very Irish public official in the county who reminds me that a lot of people believe the use of ‘Paddy’ instead of Patty is derogatory, a slur against the Irish.

He insists the word ‘Paddy’ has its roots in the oft rehashed tales of ‘paddywagons’ police use to haul folks off to the hoosegow. It usually involves the belief that the Irish enjoy their drinks, and this sometimes leads them to stray from the law, hence the need for the 'paddywagons.'

He is dead serious when he explains that he takes offense to the word as a slur against his proud Irish heritage.

So if you’re reading, John McBlain, send me an email or log in to join the chat for tonight’s show at DelcoTimes.com.

Ironically, I have had several emails and calls concerning our big cash giveaway contest, the St. Patty’s Payday Contest. We’re building up to our grand prize giveaway of $5,000 on Saturday.

Many readers have told me that we should be using Paddy, which they consider the male term for Patty. They say we should be using that derivative when we refer to St. Patty's Day, that the reference more correctly would be St. Paddy's Day.

So what do you say, Delco? Is Paddy offensive to the Irish? I don’t see it that way. But I’d be interested in how you feel on the issue. Post a comment on the blog.

And make sure you join us for a very special St. Patrick’s Day ‘Live From the Newsroom’ show tonight at 7.