I suddenly realize the idea isn't that "Irish wagon" is offensive, it's that that word's a slur for Irish people.

I wouldn’t sweat it - that phrase is used all the time in Ireland, which the author would know if they’d bothered asking some Irish people.

There is even a well know Paddy Wagon bus tour company with a giant Leprechaun on the side - no one bats an eyelid.

American with a “Mick” name here. I hereby grant license to use this term, as is my right.

I am Irish on both sides of the family and live in Liverpool. Do you speak for me? No, you don't.

When my mum was born, there were still signs that said "No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish", she remembers them vividly along with the problems they caused for her. The Troubles have been a big topic in our lifetimes, and there's still a lot of anti-Irish sentiment, even in Liverpool. My teens were ruined for being a redhead and there was never a single day I wasn't covered in bruises and cuts, and I was bullied out of education at sixteen and wanted to kill myself for who I was.

Every day, I look in the mirror and can see my broken nose and facial scars from having the bridge of my spectacles punched into my nose when I was knocked unconscious and beaten by other pupils. I won't ever forget.

I'm also Ashkenazi Jewish on both sides, Sudanese and Indigenous American, so if you'd like to continue gatekeeping my feelings, go ahead. I can guarantee it won't go well for you.

I care. I think a lot of people care about using language that isn't offensive or promotes asshole-ism. For example, the other day I heard my 7-year-old nephew say "wife beater", referring to one of those sleeveless undershirts. I've used that phrase for years, thinking nothing of it. But, do I want my 7-year-old nephew casually using the phrase "wife beater"? Nope. And, call me a libtard, but I don't think anyone should casually use the phrase "wife beater", including myself, as doing so just helps normalize beating on women.