MovieChat Forums > The Public Enemy (1931) Discussion > Slang term for Irish?

Slang term for Irish?

posted 18 years ago by stryder9898
5 replies | jump to latest

There's a scene in a nightclub just before they whack Putty Nose. One guy is telling Cagney how Putty Nose has it in for him. Cagney says "That McGonigle ain't got a chance" in reference to Putty Nose. I thought maybe Putty Nose's real name was "McGonigle" but it's never referenced anywhere else in the movie. So I wonder if instead "McGonigle" was just some 1930's slang for Irish. Anyone?

[–] truly_unknown 18 years ago

it may be because a commonly used slang for anyone who is irish is mac, or mc, being the common prefix in their last names. so maybe it was.

[–] vawlkee_2000 13 years ago

I've never heard the term "mac" or "mc" when referring to Irishmen, and I know a lot of slang!
Try the term "mick" and you'll be right!

[–] electronod 13 years ago

That would be William McGonagall a popular poet who wrote "The Tay Bridge Disaster" and other poems and stories. He was ridiculed by his contemporaries for his work for various reasons but was popular in his day. Tom was making reference to the songs Putty Nose played.

[–] rfman45 10 years ago

I had Irish relatives who were called "Mac" in the early decades of the last century.

[–] marktayloruk (2387) 2 years ago

Book gives name as Jeffrey Considine