paddyˈwhack, -wack colloq.
[f. Paddy n.2]
1. a. An Irishman.
| 1811 Lex. Balatr. s.v. Whack, A paddywhack; a stout brawney Irishman. 1846 Song in Slang Dict. (1873), I'm Paddy Whack from Ballyhack, Not long ago turn'd soldier. |
b. paddywhack almanac = Paddy n.2 3.
| 1886 N. & Q. 7th Ser. I. 388, 477. |
2. A rage, passion, temper.
| 1899 R. Kipling Stalky 25 He's a libellous old rip, an' he'll be in a ravin' paddy-wack. |
3. dial. A severe thrashing (Eng. Dial. Dict.). Also in occas. use in Austral. and N.Z.
| 1898 B. Kirkby Lakeland Words 111 Ah gev yon beggar paddy-whack fer his sauce, an' he'll nut fergit it in a hurry. 1923 G. Watson Roxburghshire Word-bk. 227 Paddy-whack.., a stroke or blow; a whack or whacking. 1924 Truth (Sydney) 27 Apr. 6 Paddywhack, a beating. 1965 F. Sargeson Mem. Peon iv. 75 ‘Of course Michael is not going to be unsociable,’ she announced. ‘I'll have to give him a paddy-whack if he is.’ |
4. The ruddy duck: = Paddy n.2 6. (U.S.)