Talk:paddy wagon
Latest comment: 14 years ago by Dmol in topic Etymology.
Etymology.[edit]
There's been a few good-faith edits regarding the etymology. As it stands, it reads, - Supposedly from the term Paddy (a nickname for an Irishman), since many 19th-century and early 20th-century North American police officers were of Irish heritage. (My emphasis)
However, I don't think this is correct, as I am sure the original meaning was from the fact that the prisoners were Irish, not the police officers. I'm also sure it was originally a UK term, not from the US.
Any comments welcome. Thanks.--Dmol 07:22, 16 October 2009 (UTC)
- That's the impression I got from Aus usage. There is also "Paddy whacker" for a truncheon, and obviously in that usage the whackee is in the term. I've always assumed it was a slur on the Irish for their supposed drunkeness and propensity for fights203.55.211.33 16:15, 14 November 2009 (UTC)
- I've removed it for now, no evidence provided after two months.--Dmol 12:03, 26 December 2009 (UTC)