What does 'The Luck of the Irish' mean?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

• 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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

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!

Answer 6

im not sure but ireally need to now