paddy

in a paddy

Very or unreasonably angry or upset; in an outburst of rage, frustration, or ill temper. Primarily heard in UK. A: "What's Danny in a paddy about now?" B: "Oh, I wouldn't let him eat a cookie that fell on the floor, that's all." Hey, we can fix this mistake—no need to get in a paddy over it. I heard Mom yelling at you earlier. What was she in a paddy about?

See also: paddy

paddy wagon

slang A police vehicle, especially a large van, used to transport criminals or suspects to prison. (Potentially offensive, as "paddy" is a derogatory slang term for an Irish person, though the connection between the two terms is debated.) Nearly two dozen looters were thrown into paddy wagons by police forces trying to quell the riots. After Jeff got drunk and started assaulting a bouncer, he ended his night in the back of a paddy wagon.

See also: paddy, wagon

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

paddy

n. a police officer, especially an Irish police officer. (Usually derogatory. Also an ill-advised term of address.) Tell that paddy to go catch a crook or something.

paddy wagon

n. a police van used to take suspected criminals to the police station. The cop put the woman in handcuffs and then called the paddy wagon.

See also: paddy, wagon

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.