In honor of St. Patty's Day, we've done some digging to figure out why we're all wearing green, whether St. Patrick really did drive the snakes out of Ireland, and how it became acceptable to pinch people who shun the day's dress code.
First of all, there are very few islands that have no native snake species... but Ireland happens to be one of them. Saying that St. Patrick "drove the snakes from the Emerald Isle," is likely referring to the fact that he spent decades converting the Irish to Christianity, hence driving the druidic religions out of Ireland.
So what about the whole "wear green or get pinched" thing? It's actually an entirely American tradition that dates back to the 1700s. The story goes that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who pinch anyone they can see. People pinch those not wearing green as a reminder that the leprechauns can get them. How... sweet of them?
Another fun fact: Guinness and other dark Irish stouts contain antioxidants and, according to The American Heart Association, researchers say that it "may be as effective as daily aspirin in reducing the blood clots that cause heart attacks." So if you're over 21 (or are lucky enough to be in a place where the drinking age is 18), enjoy a toast to your health tonight! Sláinte!
Image: Life
