I nickname given to a vehicle police use to transport prisoners. The name came from the New York Draft riots of 1863. The Irish at the time were the poorest people in the city. When the draft was implemented it had a provision for wealthier people to buy a waiver. The Irish rioted, and the term Paddy wagon was coined.
by Paddy Noonan February 16, 2005
The van driven by the police, to pick up unruly teens out getting drunk in public places, after the town curfew, used to bring the teens to the police station, usually for the night.
by Ima D. Runk April 19, 2005
1. A sexually attractive part of a person's body.
2. Someone who you don't want to mess with.
3. A police van.
2. Someone who you don't want to mess with.
3. A police van.
Damn girl, you rockin' that paddy wagon in the back.
Damn dude, you cut, got them paddy wagon pecs.
You mess with paddy wagon, paddy wagon mess with you.
You don't rough and tumble with paddy wagon.
Don't drop the soap in the paddy wagon.
Damn dude, you cut, got them paddy wagon pecs.
You mess with paddy wagon, paddy wagon mess with you.
You don't rough and tumble with paddy wagon.
Don't drop the soap in the paddy wagon.
by Paddy Wagon Don't Play December 24, 2021
means "P. D. Wagon"
modern: Van or truck used for transporting prisoners.
Origins of the phrase are not sinister. The origin is from the era of horse drawn box enclosed wagons employed by the Police Department, especially of New York City. These wagons had the sole identification painted on the sides, in large letters the initials P.D. When spoken the term "P.D. Wagon" easily becomes "paddy wagon".
While the word "paddy" may be in modern use in derogatory ways, the development of those meanings are separate and unrelated to the "P. D. Wagon".
These derogatory uses however, have led to fabricated, invented and much more complicated explanations of the phrase "paddy wagon" and while a word or phrase may develop new meanings over time, and thus become valid of themselves, that does not change the true and simple origin as a slurring of the phrase "P.D. Wagon"
modern: Van or truck used for transporting prisoners.
Origins of the phrase are not sinister. The origin is from the era of horse drawn box enclosed wagons employed by the Police Department, especially of New York City. These wagons had the sole identification painted on the sides, in large letters the initials P.D. When spoken the term "P.D. Wagon" easily becomes "paddy wagon".
While the word "paddy" may be in modern use in derogatory ways, the development of those meanings are separate and unrelated to the "P. D. Wagon".
These derogatory uses however, have led to fabricated, invented and much more complicated explanations of the phrase "paddy wagon" and while a word or phrase may develop new meanings over time, and thus become valid of themselves, that does not change the true and simple origin as a slurring of the phrase "P.D. Wagon"
At a mass demonstration, spoken by an officer of the law "We've sent for the paddy wagons people. Disperse or stay and be arrested."
by Damariscove September 11, 2011
A derogatory,racist name for a police van. Used mainly in the U.S. When the Irish arrived they were feared by the Protestant and Presbyterian (mainly English and Scottish settlers) they were beaten and bullied and when they protested they were dragged off in police vans and beaten some more. Lots of silly people think that "Paddy Wagon" is acceptabe to Irish people. Well it's not...nor is Patties or Paddys Day. St. Patricks Day ...Please.
Irish-American friendship float in this years St.Patricks Day parade had "Paddy Wagon" in big letters on the sides of it. Grrrrrr!! Lots of my friends were very annoyed.
by dermo2 March 20, 2008
Irish/English word for Police Van where they load up typical gangs of drunks that are acting the eejit in public
by Cully April 01, 2003
The term 'paddy wagon' is of English origin due to it's use to pick up drunk Irish louts (paddy's) from pub brawls.
It is commonly used across all prior English colonies including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others.
Contrary to other postings here, the term 'divvy van' is unbeknownst to any Australia on my extensive MSN list, nor have I heard it in the 47 years I've lived here, so I'd say it's someone attempting to coin a phrase.
It is commonly used across all prior English colonies including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others.
Contrary to other postings here, the term 'divvy van' is unbeknownst to any Australia on my extensive MSN list, nor have I heard it in the 47 years I've lived here, so I'd say it's someone attempting to coin a phrase.
Mel Gibson refers to a paddy wagon in a (intended) slip of the tongue (due to Australian roots) in the movie Signs, "We took some of your friends downtown already in the back of a paddy wagon."
by ath0 January 25, 2005