Why is the term Irish twins derogatory?

The phrase "Irish twins" originated in the late 19th century as a disparaging term associated with Irish immigration to the United States. The implication was that groups of close-in-age siblings were a negative characteristic of large Irish Catholic families.
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What does the expression Irish twins mean?

The term “Irish twins” refers to one mother having two children who were born 12 months or less apart. It originated in the 1800s as a way to poke fun at Irish Catholic immigrant families who didn't have access to birth control.
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What's another term for Irish twins?

Therefore, children with a spacing of less than 12 months became known as Irish twins (also known as “Catholic twins” or “Dutch twins”).
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Are babies 13 months apart Irish twins?

For example, if a second baby's due date is 13 months after the first child was born, being born a month prematurely would make them Irish twins. In this case, the short spacing is caused by premature birth, not the other way around.
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What is the difference between twins and Irish twins?

Twins occur when a woman becomes pregnant with two children from one conception. Twins are carried in the womb together and delivered at the same time. Irish twins occur when a woman has a baby within 12 months of having another child.
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Things Not To Say To Irish People



What are Scottish twins?

Years ago, when two children were born within 12 months of each other, people often referred to them as "Irish twins." And when three children were born to the same mother within three years, they were called "Irish triplets." But today these phrases are considered outdated and are less frequently used, particularly ...
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What are Catholic twins?

Noun. Catholic twins pl (normally plural, singular Catholic twin) (slang) Siblings born within twelve months of each other.
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Can you get pregnant while pregnant?

A double pregnancy, or superfetation, is extremely rare — in fact, there aren't even stats on how often it happens — but it's scientifically possible. We're not saying you should worry about it happening to you, just that you can't say that it's impossible. Here's why.
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What's harder twins or Irish twins?

It's not about difficulty. It's about difference. Having two children close in age, even Irish twins (less than a year apart), is not the same as having twins. Many moms of twins feel resentful when people try to make it the same.
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What's the smallest age gap between siblings?

Nine to 10 months age gap is obviously the smallest gap you can have, and can be quite tough but rewarding at the same time. The children are so close in age they will learn a lot about the world together.
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What do you call siblings born 18 months apart?

Irish twins: According to various sources, Irish twins are siblings born within 12-18 months of each other.
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What is the closest two babies can be born?

(Identical twins come from a single fertilized egg that splits in half, while fraternal twins occur when two different eggs are fertilized simultaneously). So, how many months apart are Irish twins? It's technically possible for two siblings to be as close as 9 or 10 months apart.
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Do Irish twins have a special connection?

Do Irish twins have a special connection? Irish twins share a strong bonding. They have an unbreakable friendship since they tend to do everything together and even share everything.
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What does Black Irish mean?

The term is commonly used to describe people of Irish origin who have dark features, black hair, a dark complexion and dark eyes. A quick review of Irish history reveals that the island was subject to a number of influxes of foreign cultures.
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Why is it called Irish goodbye?

Rice University's database of neologisms says the term comes from Boston, Massachusetts, which has a large Irish-American population. Rice specifically describes the Irish goodbye as a drunk person leaving without talking to anyone in order to avoid revealing how drunk they are.
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What's an Irish goodbye?

But etiquette experts are unlikely to back up any of them, especially the so-called "Irish goodbye." A slang phrase rumored to have originated in the Northeast, an "Irish goodbye" refers to a person ducking out of a party, social gathering or very bad date without bidding farewell.
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Can siblings be born in the same year and not be twins?

Irish twins is the term for siblings born in the same calendar year or within 12 months of each other. For the British mother, the second pregnancy was conceived just seven weeks after the birth of the first child, despite the fact that the mother was taking birth control.
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Where did the name Irish twins come from?

The origin of the slang terms dates back to the 19th-century, when it was used to refer to Irish people. Irish twin was typically used to describe siblings from large and mostly poor immigrant Irish families who were living in Britain and the United States.
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Are Irish twins in the same school year?

Lewis, one, and Blake, four months, were born just ten months apart after their mum Daniella Routledge, 29, fell pregnant following a festive encounter last year. Daniella, gave birth to Lewis on November 8 last year, followed by Blake on September 4 this year, meaning they'll be in the same school year.
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What happens when a man sleeps with a pregnant woman?

Having sex in pregnancy

Sex during pregnancy can feel quite different from how it felt before. You might also worry that sex will harm the baby. But your baby is well protected and sealed off in the amniotic sac, so you can't hurt your baby by having sex.
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What are Italian twins?

The word for a twins in Italian is gemelli (masculine, singular: gemello; feminine, singular: gemella).
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What is a golden baby?

angel baby: a baby that passes away, either during pregnancy or shortly after. born sleeping: a stillborn baby. golden baby or pot of gold: a baby born after a rainbow baby.
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What is it called when a sister and brother have a baby?

Incest (/ˈɪnsɛst/ IN-sest) is human sexual activity between family members or close relatives. This typically includes sexual activity between people in consanguinity (blood relations), and sometimes those related by affinity (marriage or stepfamily), adoption, or lineage.
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How common are Mexican twins?

Hispanic women had twins at a rate of 22.5 per 1,000 births.
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Can a baby eat their twin in the womb?

Vanishing twin syndrome was first recognized in 1945. This occurs when a twin or multiple disappears in the uterus during pregnancy as a result of a miscarriage of one twin or multiple. The fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother. This gives the appearance of a “vanishing twin.”
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