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The meaning behind “The Luck of the Irish”
St. Patrick’s Day falls on Monday, March 17. “The Luck of the Irish” is a saying you’ve likely heard time and time again, especially around St. Patrick’s Day or in reference to sports teams such as the Boston Celtics or Notre Dame.
Many assume the phrase suggests the extreme good fortune of the Irish people. However, the original meaning of this so-called “Irish phrase” had a different connotation.
The term “Luck of the Irish” might not be Irish after all
According to Edward T. O’Donnell, an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College and author of 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History, the term is not actually Irish in origin.
The word luck itself is Middle Dutch in origin, according to Mental Floss. It derives from ‘luc,’ a shortened form of ‘gheluc,’ meaning “happiness, good fortune.”
The Gold Rush connection
“During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth… Over time, this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression ‘luck of the Irish.’ Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed,” O’Donnell explains.
The phrase subtly suggested that Irish success in mining was due to luck rather than intelligence or skill.
The word luck itself is Middle Dutch in origin, according to Mental Floss. It derives from ‘luc,’ a shortened form of ‘gheluc,’ meaning “happiness, good fortune.”
The evolution of “Luck” in language
The word luck likely entered the English language in the 15th century as a gambling term. Over time, it became widely used in various contexts, including the phrase “The luck of the Irish.”
Conclusion: A misunderstood phrase
In summary, the phrase “The luck of the Irish,” commonly linked with St. Patrick’s Day and sports teams, may have roots in the success of Irish miners during the 19th-century American gold rush. Contrary to its seemingly positive connotation, the expression originally carried a tone of derision, implying that Irish achievements were more due to luck than skill.
Understanding its historical ties to mining and its later use as a gambling term provides a unique perspective as we approach St. Patrick’s Day.
