What are Irish twins?

English. Etymology. Originally used (in the nineteenth century) to mock the fertility of Irish families, referencing the stereotype that they have children in quicker succession. read more

Irish twins are not technically twins, meaning two people born from the same gestational period. It's a colloquial way to classify siblings that are born close together. Sometimes the use of the term Irish twins is expanded to describe any siblings that are close in age. read more

The roots of the idea behind the term are actually quite old, although no one knows when, exactly, people first began to talk about Irish twins. In both England and the United States, a massive influx of Irish immigration in the 1800s led to a negative connotation with Irish people and society. read more

My Irish twins charged into my life like a whirlwind. If you've ever wondered what it's like to raise two toddlers, here is a list of things that happen. read more

While it may have originated as a derogatory term, it seems that those who either are Irish twins or have Irish twins (my first two children were born just under 11 months apart), don't find the term insulting. read more