Around St. Patrick ’s 24-hour interval , people love to say Irish - themed jokes and paronomasia . One classical deterrent example necessitate “ What do you call an Irish wanderer ? ” with the punchline being “ Paddy long leg ! ” This lighthearted joke pokes fun at Irish polish while cite a common creepy crawly . allow ’s search the meaning and temper behind this quirky conundrum .
The Joke Itself
The full joke goes :
“ What do you call an Irish spider ? Paddy long legs ! ”
The humour lie in unite “ daddy long legs , ” a nickname for a spider with lengthy peg , and “ Paddy , ” a stereotypic Irish first name .
The whacky pun foreground the whimsical nature of pun by plug into two seemingly unrelated concepts . The unexpected answer give the joke an ingredient of surprisal and absurdity .
Origins and History
The roots of this trick are difficult to nail precisely . However , the basic idea has clear been around for tenner .
reference work to an “ Irish spider ” named Paddy long legs appear in mark as early as the 1960s . Often these first instances were not stately put-on , but simply cagey pun references .
The wisecrack likely clear broad circulation as a St. Patrick ’s Day put-on thanks to oral retellings , email forwards , and social media part . It has all the hallmarks of classic Irish American humour .
Why It’s Considered Humorous
But why does this simple pun elicit jest ? There are a few grounds it thrill citizenry ’s funny bones :
act on Holy Writ – Puns humorously pull strings lyric . Rhyming “ Paddy ” with “ daddy ” is unexpected .
stereotype – “ Paddy ” comically plays into Irish commonplace . However , some consider this offence .
mental imagery – Picturing an actual Irish spider with recollective leg is bizarre and pathetic .
ethnical connection – St. Patrick ’s Day makes Irish references more remindful .
While moderately derisory , the joke fascinate the playful look of the holiday . The absurd mental range give readers a laugh .
Variations on the Joke
Like any pop sally , many variations on the original “ Paddy long legs ” paronomasia have emerged :
What do you call an Irish wanderer with erectile dysfunction ? A floppy O’Driscoll !
What do you call an Irish spider who loves soda wampum ? Soda Paddy long legs .
What do you call an Irish spider who weave sportfishing nets ? Paddy by the ocean prospicient legs .
What do you call an Irish spider on a German football game squad ? O’Legsander .
Part of the appeal is come up up with new spins on the canonic gag templet . The sillier , the better !
Is It Offensive?
Some take issue with the joke ’s use of cultural stereotypes . “ Paddy ” can be seen as offensive when used mockingly . Making people the butt of a trick based alone on raceway or nationality is questionable wittiness .
However , most Irish family recognize the pun as honest natured . When recite playfully , without beggarly undercurrent , the joke incites groans and chuckles rather than outrage . But it ’s wise to consider your interview before telling .
While no comedic masterpiece , the “ Paddy long pegleg ” prank and its many variations have tickled funny bone for decades . These types of short punny riddles are staples of St. Patrick ’s Day humour . Though nonsensical , the mental image of an Irish wanderer with gangly legs gain multitude giggle and moan . Just be conscious of potentially offensive stereotype when telling it . With the right playful manner of speaking , this quirky pun can give people a laugh whether they ’re Irish or not !
Saint Patrick’s Day Jokes – What do you call an Irish spider? #shorts
FAQ
What is the Celtic word for spider ?
What is the big native wanderer in Ireland ?
What is the money spider in Ireland ?
What is the Irish spider with long legs ?
