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the term originates from many centuries ago when an Irishman by the name of Times Shermend was out in the vally and drank so much whiskey that he ended up stumbling off a huge cliff and landed in a huge patch of clovers that saved his life. This explains why Irishmen love the clover

I'm not sure what the origin of the term is but it's not this stupid answer.

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12y ago
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15y ago

The term "Fighting Irish" is a handle which traces back to an infantry brigade made up of all Irish immigrants who fought for the Union in the Civil War. The brigade official title "The Irish Brigade" and consisted of 69th NY, 63rd NY, 88th NY, 116th Pennsylvania, and 28th Mass. Infantry Regiments, but was dubbed "The Fighting Irish" by regiment members shortly after it's formation.

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9y ago
  • It is an ironic phrase. The Irish have been, and are a spectacularly unlucky race. The "luck of the Irish" is BAD luck, as any reading of Irish history will document. When I did my Master's thesis on Irish references in the American language, I found the original and proper use of this irony goes clear back to the Old Country and migrated to America early on. Nowadays many speakers and writers -- even the supposedly erudite ones -- misuse the phrase to imply GOOD luck. Let these misinformed (and misinforming) folks eat only potatoes for a few decades -- if any potatoes can grow in their fields.
  • Some trace the origin of the phrase to the US where, during the exploration for gold in the West, there were a high number of Irish people who got lucky, and found their "pot o' gold" in the gold fields of California, or were equally prosperous in silver mining. Luck of the Irish does owe its origin to the U.S.A.. When they arrived, they were very disliked, treated badly, despised and hated. When the Irish had any kind of success most Americans at the time didn't think the Irish were capable such successes, so they called it luck. Hence the term "Luck of the Irish".
  • As far as I know, the term comes from the legend of the 'Little People' of the land, or the leprechauns. Finding or catching a leprechaun (who would then give you gold) was a lucky event that could only take place in Ireland.
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14y ago

Native Irishmen James Fair, James Flood, William O'Brien and John Mackay were collectively known as the "Silver Kings" after they hit the famed Comstock Lode. Of course all the other fortune seekers blamed 'dumb luck' rather than hard work for the 'Luck of the Irish', so there's always a measure of derision in the phrase.

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13y ago

I am truly Irish and I think that people say "the luck of the Irish" because , they are either Irish or they believe in luck!

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12y ago

im not sure but ireally need to now

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Q: What does 'The Luck of the Irish' mean?
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What does An t-adh na nGael mean?

It's an Irish term meaning The luck of the Irish. ádh is the Irish/Gaeilge for luck. Hope that helps


Is it Luck O' the Irish or Luck OF the Irish?

luck o the Irish... it sounds Irish hahahhaha


What is the Irish for 'Irish luck'?

Ádh dearg ('Luck of the Irish')


How do you use luck of the Irish in a sentence?

luck of the Irish


Which is More Proper 1. Luck O' The Irish 2. Luck o' The Irish?

It's Luck o' the Irish -- the o' is short for of , eg Luck of the Irish


When was Irish for Luck created?

Irish for Luck was created in 1936.


How do you say Irish Luck in French?

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What does beir bua mean?

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When was Irish Luck created?

Irish Luck was created on 1939-08-22.


When was The Luck of the Irish - song - created?

The Luck of the Irish - song - was created in 1972.


Does 'luck of the Irish' mean bad luck?

Not really. Irish wear a lot of green. A lucky clover is green. So,basically it means good luck.Also you might just be superstitious. love and peace funnygal709 :)Actually the phrase did indeed refer to Bad Luck. There's also a variation on Murphy's Law: 'If it can go wrong, it will. 'Tis the luck of the Irish."


What is the Irish for 'the luck of the Irish'?

'An t-ádh dearg'