paddy wagon

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paddy wagon

A police officer leads a handcuffed suspect into the back of a paddy wagon.

Definition

Noun: A paddy wagon is a van used by the police to transport prisoners or people who have been arrested. It is a type of enclosed vehicle designed for this specific purpose.

Usage

The term is used to refer specifically to the police vehicle. It is a somewhat informal or slang term. - The police loaded the suspects into the paddy wagon. - After the protest, several people were taken away in a paddy wagon.

Advanced Usage

The term can sometimes carry historical or cultural connotations, as its etymology is debated and may be considered dated or offensive by some. In modern, more formal contexts, terms like "police van" or "prisoner transport vehicle" are often preferred.

Variants and Related Words
  • Police van: A more neutral and common term for the same vehicle.
  • Black Maria: Another historical slang term for a police vehicle used to transport prisoners.
  • Squad car / Patrol car: A different type of police vehicle, typically a sedan used for general patrol, not for transporting multiple prisoners.
Synonyms
  • Police van
  • Prisoner transport van
  • Patrol wagon (an older term)
Idioms and Phrases

No common idioms or phrasal verbs are directly formed with the term "paddy wagon." It is typically used as a standalone noun.

paddy wagon

A police officer leads a handcuffed suspect into the back of a paddy wagon.

Noun
  1. van used by police to transport prisoners