Is it St. Paddy’s or St. Patty’s?
We know one thing for sure, there's a possessive apostrophe involved. But when it comes to St. Patrick's Day, almost anybody you ask is confused about whether the shortened title for the holiday uses "tt" or "dd."
I've always said that the correct way to spell it is "St. Patty's," as it's short for "Patrick's," not "Padrick's." However, many of my truly Irish friends say that the official Irish spelling, does in fact, use "dd."
According to Google:
Paddy is derived from the Irish, Pádraig: the source of those mysterious, emerald double-Ds. Patty is the diminutive of Patricia, or a burger, and just not something you call a fella. There isn't a sinner in Ireland that would refer to a Patrick as “Patty”. It's as simple as that.
Some friends who I asked still insist that "Patty's" is for the traditional who are shortening "Patrick's" and that "Paddy's" is used by those just looking for an excuse to drink too much green beer and too many Irish Car Bombs. Others brought up the Irish male name Pádraic or Pádraig, citing it as the source for the use of the double ds in "St. Paddy's."
And one wise listener says "it depends on your level of intoxication." No matter how you spell it, we will be celebrating here in Missoula with the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and kids' after party.