Saturday, March 16, 2013
7 Things You Didn't Know About St. Patrick's Day
How will you be spending St. Paddy's Day with your loved one? Plus, how many tourists kiss the Blarney Stone every year?St. Patrick's Day is this Sunday. We all know the holiday is observed on the feast day of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, and is a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history.
But besides donning green, downing green pints of Guinness, and feasting on corned beef and cabbage, what do we really know about the Irish holiday? Here are seven facts you'll love learning about!
More from YourTango: Who Is Pope Francis & What Does He Stand For?1. Did St. Patrick Start Leap Year Proposals?
You can thank St. Patrick for this Irish tradition. According to legend, St. Bridget complained that women were tired of waiting for marriage proposals, so she took matters into her own hands by proposing to St. Patrick. Still, that doesn't mean that the guys are buying into the hype. In one study, one in five men would rather run a mile than accept a proposal from their girlfriend on February 29.
2. Wedding bells Are Ringing
St. Patrick's Day is considered the luckiest day of the year to get married ... unless it falls on a Saturday. According to this Irish proverb, Saturday is the worst day of the week to get married: "Marry on Monday for wealth / Tuesday for health / Wednesday the best day of all / Thursday for losses / Friday for crosses / Saturday for no luck at all."
3. Oh, Baby!
About 650,000 American newborn babies have been named Patrick over the past 100 years. Were their parents perhaps inspired by their own St. Paddy's Day weddings?
4. Bottoms Up!
On any given day, 5.5 million pints of Guinness, the holiday's go-to brand of beer, are consumed worldwide. But on St. Patrick's Day, that number more than doubles to 13 million.
5. "Kiss me, I'm Irish!"
The Blarney Stone is reportedly kissed by up to 400,000 people a year, making us think that you're likely to catch more than just luck from this Irish tourist attraction.
6. Send Your Love
Mailing cards to loved ones isn't just a Valentines Day tradition. Hallmark sells anywhere from 8-15 million St. Patrick's Day-themed cards each year.
7. Day Trip, Anyone?
Did you know that there are seven places in the United States named Shamrock, the floral emblem of Ireland? Visiting any one of these Irish-inspired destinations would make for a great St. Paddy's Day date, don't you think?
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Friday, March 15, 2013
10 Acceptable Pick-Up Lines For St. Patrick's Day
Ready to get your flirt on? Single and ready to mingle on St. Patrick's Day? Try one of these lines.The world's greatest holiday is upon us. And, as with any boozy holiday, there is a good chance for a love connection. However, this year instead of using the old fallback of, "Do you have any Irish in you? No? Do you want some?", let’s figure out something slightly more original and with a pinch, even if you are wearing green and more class.
Use your best discretion and if all else fails, feel free to channel your inner-Colin Farrell.
More from YourTango: Who Is Pope Francis & What Does He Stand For?1. "I gave up beer and beautiful strangers for Lent. Glad I'm not Catholic."
When to use: you're drinking beer, are Catholic and the person is attractive.
2. "How many Leprechauns does it take to break the ice? None, I'm [insert your name]."
When to use: virtually any usage.
3. "The idiot bartender served us one too many of these traditional Irish beers, I think it’s pronounced Gih-ness. You want it?"
When to use: the person has an empty drink in front of them. Bonus if you're drinking something other than Guinness.
4. "Don’t tell anybody, but I have a fridge full of Shamrock shakes back in my apartment, I’m taking one person at a time."
When to use: the person looks like they may love McDonalds, deliciousness.
5. "Yow, St. Pat must have chased all the snakes to this place."
When to use: you are in a seedy location, the men greatly outnumber the women.
6. "Did you know what a real Irishman wears under his kilt? Nothing … Irishmen don't wear kilts."
When to use: the person doesn't seem terribly smart.
7. "Everyone keeps talking about this Kelly Green lady. Are you her? No? Then what is your name?"
When to use: the person seems smart.
8. "Yes, it's a shillelagh in my pocket, and, yes, I am happy to meet you."
When to use: the person seems to have a sense of humor. Bonus if you're a lady.
9. "Top of the morning to you. Beg your pardon, I'd like to be on top of you in the morning."
When to use: it's 3 AM and you need a Hail Mary that doesn't involve a Rosary.
10. "Little known fact: St. Patrick invented green beer, peeing in the street and awkward introductions. Hi, I'm [insert name]."
When to use: waiting in a bathroom line.
From personal experience, asking someone to hold your hair while you puke just doesn't work and it's mostly because men shouldn't have ponytails. Have fun out there and do whatever you do responsibly.
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