St. Patrick's Day is this weekend and if you see someone you don't know not wearing green, you really shouldn't pinch them, even for tradition's sake.
I know it may seem silly and common sense not to touch a stranger, but pinching someone can actually be considered battery.
Here's what to know:
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick's Day?
According to Irish Central, the concept of wearing green on St. Patrick's Day was likely created by Americans because the actual color associated with Saint Patrick is blue.
"The original color of Saint Patrick was blue but because Ireland, as the nickname the Emerald Isle would give away, is very much associated with the color green — shamrocks are green and there's green in our flag — Americans gradually began wearing more and more green and as with most St. Patrick's Day traditions, Ireland and the rest of the world followed suit," the article read.
Why do people get pinched on St. Patrick's Day?
Americans may also be behind this St. Patrick's Day tradition.
While Ireland has plenty of folklore and mythology, Americans are also thought to have come up with the idea that green makes you invisible to leprechauns. According to the tradition, if you are not wearing green and therefore visible to the leprechauns, a leprechaun may wind up pinching you. From there, people began pinching those not wearing green as a painful reminder of what a leprechaun would do to them should they happen upon one.
What is considered battery?
Can pinching someone be considered battery? The Fishers Police Department says it can.
"The simple answer is yes; it can be considered battery," Kelsey Ramsey, a spokesperson, at the Fishers Police Department, told IndyStar. "We advise not to touch other people, especially if you don’t know them."State code even has a clear prohibition against such acts.
According to Indiana Code 35-42-2-1, "A person who knowingly or intentionally touches another person in a rude, insolent or angry manner commits battery, a Class B misdemeanor."
While it is all in good fun, it can be dangerous especially if you pinch someone you don't know. You may try to blame it on the leprechauns, but the leprechauns are not the ones who will wind up with a misdemeanor for pinching someone.
So at the end of the day, if you think it's funny to pinch people who aren't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day, maybe don't. Go out and celebrate, get yourself a Guinness and wear green yourself, but keep your fingers to your beer glass.
More:The perfect pint of Guinness: O'Reilly's owner shows us how
Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman.
FAQs
"The simple answer is yes; it can be considered battery," Kelsey Ramsey, a spokesperson, at the Fishers Police Department, told IndyStar. "We advise not to touch other people, especially if you don't know them."State code even has a clear prohibition against such acts.
What does it mean to pinch someone on St. Patrick's Day? ›
History of Pinching
According to fun folklore, you get pinched on St. Patrick's Day for not wearing green because green makes you invisible to leprechauns. Leprechauns are mischievous creatures, and according to legend, they like to pinch people (because they can!).
What does "pinch me I'm" in Irish mean? ›
Everyone knows the expression “Kiss me I'm Irish”. But do you know the other phrase “Pinch me I'm Irish”? This phrase, regularly used on Saint Patrick's Day, is a reference to an ancient tradition of pinching people not dressed in green on the feast day. Explanations of a practice that is currently falling into disuse.
What color should you not wear on St. Patrick's Day? ›
Both green and orange are represented in the Irish flag to illustrate the peaceful coexistence of Catholics and Protestants, so both green and orange could be considered St. Patrick's Day colors. But you still probably shouldn't wear orange, as it represents loyalty to the English.
What are the rules for pinching on St. Patrick's Day? ›
Pinchers may pinch someone not wearing green as many times as he/she wants, but are totally responsible for any consequences that may come with over pinching. HOWEVER, if a pincher pinches someone that IS wearing green, they are allowed to pinch them back 10x per pinch.
Is pinching part of St. Patrick's Day? ›
Leprechauns Love Green:
People who don't wear green on that day have to get pinched by leprechauns. Although it's a myth, it has become a part of the celebration just for fun. Even if you're not wearing green, one of your annoying friends will surely pinch you just because he/she loves this tradition.
What is disrespectful in Irish? ›
adjectivedrochmheasúil adj2 c m udímheasúil adj2 c m udisrespectful behaviour iompar dímheasúil.
What do Irish call kissing? ›
Póg. This is the Irish word for a “kiss” e.g. “give us a póg” or even cuter a “póigín”. This is not to be confused with asking something to “Póg Mo Thóin” (Kiss my arse). Unless of course, that's what you're into.
Where did Pinch Me I'm Irish come from? ›
• Pinch me, I'm Irish
No surprise, it's an entirely American tradition that probably started in the early 1700s. St. Patrick's revelers thought wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, fairy creatures who would pinch anyone they could see (anyone not wearing green).
Is it OK to wear white on St. Patrick's Day? ›
Therefore, on St. Patrick's Day, Protestants protest by wearing orange instead of green. Ironically, no one wears white; the placement of the white stripe between the green and orange stripes on the Irish flag is supposed to symbolize the peace between the Roman Catholic majority and the Protestant minority.
Leprechauns are actually one reason you're supposed to wear green on St. Patrick's Day—or risk getting pinched! The tradition is tied to folklore that says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, which like to pinch anyone they can see.
Why can't you wear red on St. Patrick's Day? ›
In the context of St Patrick's day, Red means nothing at all, though red used to be the color of the international workers movement, coopted by the Communist Party. The Irish flag shows green and orange to symbolize a united Ireland that would include the Catholic majority and, treated as equals, the Protestant north.
What is the pinch tradition? ›
Patrick's Day—or risk getting pinched! The tradition is tied to folklore that says wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, which like to pinch anyone they can see. Some people also think sporting the color will bring good luck, and others wear it to honor their Irish ancestry.
What does getting pinched mean? ›
A person or organization that is pinched does not have enough money: The space program is pinched. (Definition of pinched from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
What does kissing mean on St. Patrick's Day? ›
Kiss me, I'm Irish is a common phrase associated with St. Patrick's Day. It often appears on T-shirts. It originates from the legend of the Blarney Stone, which is believed to bring luck and eloquence to those who kiss it.
Is it lucky to kiss an Irish person on St. Patrick's Day? ›
Patrick's Day, but wondered about the meaning. The widely used phrase refers to the luck of the Irish and the gift of gab visitors to the Emerald Isle receive when they kiss the Blarney Stone. The myth is that kissing an Irish person is the next best thing to booking a flight to Blarney Castle in Ireland.
