paddywagon

Arrest vehicle, slang

A paddywagon is a police van used to transport prisoners or arrestees, especially multiple people at once.

The term likely derives from the ethnic slur "Paddy" for Irish people—either because Irish immigrants filled early urban police forces or because they were frequently arrested.

The word is informal and somewhat dated; police van or prisoner transport are neutral alternatives.

police

squad

Small working group

sergeant · precinct · beat · raid · badge · uniform · law-enforcement · dispatcher · siren · lights

vehicle

van

Enclosed cargo vehicle

windowless · doors · compartment · bench · cage · divider · barred · fleet · motor · diesel

arrest

handcuffs

Locking wrist restraints

custody · incarcerate · rights · warrant · charge · crime · felony · misdemeanor · arraignment · defendant

historical

horse-drawn

Powered by equines

temperance · riot · strike · protest · immigrant · tenement · slang · Irish · pejorative · antiquated

crowded

packed

Filled to capacity

crammed · squashed · jammed · overcrowded · standing-room · herded · corralled · huddled · squeezed

Opposites
vehicle function/purpose

paddywagongetaway car

Criminal's flight transportation

limousine · taxi · passenger car · tour bus · Uber

freedom of occupants

paddywagonfreedom ride

Travel for personal liberty

getaway car · rescue vehicle · joy ride · charter bus · cruise ship

Family

paddy, wagon, wagons, paddy wagon

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Timeless · Concrete · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG