Murphy
Murphy (noun) means a potato (informal, chiefly Irish or old-fashioned slang). Example: “His grandmother always kept a sack of murphies in the pantry.”
How to use Murphy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old informal word for a potato.
Dated, informal slang, mostly heard in Irish or older British English.
Word forms
Murphied past tense, murphies plural, Murphies singular
Etymology
From the Irish surname Murphy, once used as a nickname for potatoes because of their strong association with Irish cooking and farming.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for Murphy
See all rhymes for Murphy →Frequently asked questions
What does “Murphy” mean?
The word “Murphy” means a potato (informal, chiefly Irish or old-fashioned slang). In plain terms, an old informal word for a potato.
How do you pronounce “Murphy”?
“Murphy” is pronounced MUR-fee (/ˈmɝfi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Murphy” in a sentence?
Here is “Murphy” used in a sentence: “His grandmother always kept a sack of murphies in the pantry.”
What part of speech is “Murphy”?
“Murphy” is a noun.
Where does the word “Murphy” come from?
The word “Murphy” comes from Irish. From the Irish surname Murphy, once used as a nickname for potatoes because of their strong association with Irish cooking and farming.
Is “Murphy” a common word?
“Murphy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is "murphy" for a potato still in common use?
No. "Murphy" as a word for a potato is old-fashioned slang and is rarely heard in everyday speech today. It survives mainly in dialect, historical writing, or playful usage, and is chiefly associated with Irish English.
What is the difference between "murphy" and "spud"?
Both are informal words for a potato, but "spud" is far more widely used and understood across English-speaking countries. "Murphy" is older, chiefly Irish slang and now sounds dated.
Should "murphy" meaning a potato be capitalised?
When it means a potato, "murphy" is a common noun and is written in lowercase. The capitalised "Murphy" is a surname, so the lowercase form distinguishes the slang for the vegetable from the name.
Is "murphy" the same as "Murphy's Law"?
No. As a common noun, "murphy" is dated slang for a potato, which is unrelated to "Murphy's Law," the saying that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. They share the surname but not the meaning.
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