Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 12:58     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am one of the Irish posters above We use the term all the time. NOT offensive. You must be a super liberal leftist who gets offended every time you walk out your front door.


I’m Irish born. The term is highly offensive, and your ad hominem attacks don’t do any good, so let’s consider the facts. The term “Irish twins” is historically derogatory, originating in the US during the 1800s at the peak of Irish immigration to the States. It was a stereotype referring to the families of these Catholic (generally) immigrants, who tended to have bigger families due to lack of accessible family planning methods in the homeland and/or deeply ingrained anti-contraceptive beliefs. The posters on this thread who say things like “my Irish immigrant grandparents use the term all the time” or “I’m from an Irish neighborhood and it’s fine” etc etc are either lying, exaggerating or just don’t care. Most people in Ireland do not think it’s ok. Those who do use the term have espoused it in a way that’s similar to other ethic groups who use a derogatory word to refer to themselves, to lessen its negative nature (the Irish did this with the word “Mick” as well). Perhaps this also explains its use by Irish Americans like some of the posters. However it does not make it acceptable for other groups to use the term. But really, what’s so hard about describing twins close in age without putting a nationality to it? People on this board clearly take great pride in their intellect and large vocabularies. A little sensitivity goes a long way so try using some of that education in a more productive way.


My mom (mam) is Irish and I was brought up in England. The first time I heard the phrase Irish Twins was when I came to the USA. My brother and I were born 11 months apart, and none of my huge Irish family ever referred to us as Irish Twins.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 12:52     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
^its*
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 12:46     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am one of the Irish posters above We use the term all the time. NOT offensive. You must be a super liberal leftist who gets offended every time you walk out your front door.


I’m Irish born. The term is highly offensive, and your ad hominem attacks don’t do any good, so let’s consider the facts. The term “Irish twins” is historically derogatory, originating in the US during the 1800s at the peak of Irish immigration to the States. It was a stereotype referring to the families of these Catholic (generally) immigrants, who tended to have bigger families due to lack of accessible family planning methods in the homeland and/or deeply ingrained anti-contraceptive beliefs. The posters on this thread who say things like “my Irish immigrant grandparents use the term all the time” or “I’m from an Irish neighborhood and it’s fine” etc etc are either lying, exaggerating or just don’t care. Most people in Ireland do not think it’s ok. Those who do use the term have espoused it in a way that’s similar to other ethic groups who use a derogatory word to refer to themselves, to lessen its negative nature (the Irish did this with the word “Mick” as well). Perhaps this also explains its use by Irish Americans like some of the posters. However it does not make it acceptable for other groups to use the term. But really, what’s so hard about describing twins close in age without putting a nationality to it? People on this board clearly take great pride in their intellect and large vocabularies. A little sensitivity goes a long way so try using some of that education in a more productive way.


I am neither lying nor exaggerating. I am accurately conveying that where I grew up, in a very Irish catholic neighborhood that included many Irish immigrants, this term was used freely and not considered derogatory. My friend is an Irish twin and describes herself as such. I presume that people in Ireland don't use that term because it would sound strange in the country itself, but American Irish use it widely.


It doesn’t sound “strange.” It is offensive. Now that you know it’s origins and how the actual people in your country of ancestry feel about it, why would you continue to defend its usage?
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 10:09     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am one of the Irish posters above We use the term all the time. NOT offensive. You must be a super liberal leftist who gets offended every time you walk out your front door.


I’m Irish born. The term is highly offensive, and your ad hominem attacks don’t do any good, so let’s consider the facts. The term “Irish twins” is historically derogatory, originating in the US during the 1800s at the peak of Irish immigration to the States. It was a stereotype referring to the families of these Catholic (generally) immigrants, who tended to have bigger families due to lack of accessible family planning methods in the homeland and/or deeply ingrained anti-contraceptive beliefs. The posters on this thread who say things like “my Irish immigrant grandparents use the term all the time” or “I’m from an Irish neighborhood and it’s fine” etc etc are either lying, exaggerating or just don’t care. Most people in Ireland do not think it’s ok. Those who do use the term have espoused it in a way that’s similar to other ethic groups who use a derogatory word to refer to themselves, to lessen its negative nature (the Irish did this with the word “Mick” as well). Perhaps this also explains its use by Irish Americans like some of the posters. However it does not make it acceptable for other groups to use the term. But really, what’s so hard about describing twins close in age without putting a nationality to it? People on this board clearly take great pride in their intellect and large vocabularies. A little sensitivity goes a long way so try using some of that education in a more productive way.


I am neither lying nor exaggerating. I am accurately conveying that where I grew up, in a very Irish catholic neighborhood that included many Irish immigrants, this term was used freely and not considered derogatory. My friend is an Irish twin and describes herself as such. I presume that people in Ireland don't use that term because it would sound strange in the country itself, but American Irish use it widely.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 09:58     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
Anonymous wrote:I am one of the Irish posters above We use the term all the time. NOT offensive. You must be a super liberal leftist who gets offended every time you walk out your front door.


I’m Irish born. The term is highly offensive, and your ad hominem attacks don’t do any good, so let’s consider the facts. The term “Irish twins” is historically derogatory, originating in the US during the 1800s at the peak of Irish immigration to the States. It was a stereotype referring to the families of these Catholic (generally) immigrants, who tended to have bigger families due to lack of accessible family planning methods in the homeland and/or deeply ingrained anti-contraceptive beliefs. The posters on this thread who say things like “my Irish immigrant grandparents use the term all the time” or “I’m from an Irish neighborhood and it’s fine” etc etc are either lying, exaggerating or just don’t care. Most people in Ireland do not think it’s ok. Those who do use the term have espoused it in a way that’s similar to other ethic groups who use a derogatory word to refer to themselves, to lessen its negative nature (the Irish did this with the word “Mick” as well). Perhaps this also explains its use by Irish Americans like some of the posters. However it does not make it acceptable for other groups to use the term. But really, what’s so hard about describing twins close in age without putting a nationality to it? People on this board clearly take great pride in their intellect and large vocabularies. A little sensitivity goes a long way so try using some of that education in a more productive way.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2020 08:40     Subject: Re:Irish twins/two under two
My children were barely 2 under 2, but I remember feeling so ultra protective of the baby and that my older child seemed like a giant clumsy oaf who'd fall and crush the baby at any moment. And then I felt sad that this little girl who wasn't even 2 yet was now a big sister and there wasn't even anything "big" about her. So don't be surprised if you have similar feelings.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2020 22:45     Subject: Re:Irish twins/two under two
I am (almost*-by this strict chatboard definition)an Irish twin: brother Sept. 10, me Sept 27. I had almost* Irish twins: son July 27, daughter August 28. I loved the entire awfully exhausting lot of it. I was neglected in ways I will never know, as I am sure my first two were (out of five), but I also treasure the close bond I have with my sibling, as do my children. Children born close in age was the norm way back in the day, I am not sure why people stress about age gaps so much. I imagine having twins is much more stressful...trying to feed two babies at once, etc. Having children close together in age is tough, but the naps can be coordinated and the older starts solid food while the newborn is breast or bottle fed, so it may not be so different that having kids 2-3 years later. Double strollers and baby carriers are a godsend. I just wish the former were the lighter versions around today, as I had such bruises on my legs loading those heavy suckers in my car trunk.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2020 17:08     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You people do realize how offensive a stereotype you are perpetuating by using the term Irish twins right? Just checking.


We’ve had this convo here before. My Irish grandparents (as in born in Ireland and immigrated here as children in the 1940s)
Used the term themselves. With a laugh. They had 5 kids (one set of twins) in 5.5 years.

So not EVERY Irish person finds it offensive


+1 I'm from a huge Irish neighborhood in Chicago and no one finds this term offensive, we use it all the time.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2020 16:48     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
In any 12 months, not necessarily a calendar year.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2020 16:48     Subject: Irish twins/two under two
I am one of the Irish posters above We use the term all the time. NOT offensive. You must be a super liberal leftist who gets offended every time you walk out your front door.