meat wagon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “meat wagon” mean?
An ambulance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ambulance; a vehicle for transporting sick, injured, or dead people.
A slang term for an ambulance, hearse, or police vehicle. Also refers to a military field ambulance or a catering vehicle in circus/entertainment contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Understood in both varieties. More prevalent in older or specialist slang (e.g., military, medical, emergency services).
Connotations
Often conveys a grim, pragmatic, or irreverent attitude toward injury or death.
Frequency
Rare in formal or polite conversation. More likely in historical contexts, crime fiction, or among certain professions.
Grammar
How to Use “meat wagon” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] arrived.He was taken away in a [NOUN].They called the [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except in historical/sociolinguistic studies of slang.
Everyday
Rare; potentially offensive or shocking if used literally.
Technical
Not used in official medical or emergency service terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meat wagon”
- Using it in formal writing or polite conversation.
- Assuming it only refers to an ambulance (can be a hearse).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is informal, slang, and can be considered grim, cynical, or offensive, especially in sensitive situations.
No. While commonly an ambulance, it can also refer to a hearse or a police vehicle for transporting prisoners.
It originates from early 20th-century slang, where 'meat' was used to refer to the human body, and 'wagon' to a vehicle for transport.
Generally no. It is low-frequency, slang, and carries potentially upsetting connotations. Learners should master standard terms like 'ambulance' first.
An ambulance.
Meat wagon is usually informal, slang in register.
Meat wagon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːt ˌwæɡ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːt ˌwæɡ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Call the meat wagon.”
- “End up in the meat wagon.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a butcher's delivery wagon – but for human 'meat' (bodies) after an accident.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HUMAN BODY IS MEAT / MEDICAL TRANSPORT IS COMMERCIAL TRANSPORT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'meat wagon' LEAST likely to be used?