meter maid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, slightly dated, potentially derogatory
Quick answer
What does “meter maid” mean?
A female traffic warden whose primary duty is to patrol parking meters and issue tickets for parking violations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female traffic warden whose primary duty is to patrol parking meters and issue tickets for parking violations.
An informal, somewhat dated term for a (typically female) parking enforcement officer, often perceived as having a connotation of a low-level, routine municipal job focused on parking meters. The role now often involves monitoring digital parking systems as well.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'traffic warden' is the standard term, with 'meter maid' being a rare American import. In American English, 'meter maid' is established but declining in favor of neutral terms.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can carry a slightly dismissive or trivializing connotation, reducing the officer's authority. It is not a formal job title.
Frequency
More frequent in historical American English (mid-late 1900s). Now low-frequency and considered non-standard in both formal and increasingly informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “meter maid” in a Sentence
The [meter maid] [verb: issued/wrote/gave] a [noun: ticket/fine].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used (except in sociological/historical discussions of language and gender).
Everyday
Used in informal storytelling or historical reference, often with a hint of nostalgia or mild disrespect.
Technical
Not used in legal or official documents; 'parking enforcement personnel' is preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meter maid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meter maid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meter maid”
- Spelling: 'metre maid' (UK spelling of the unit, incorrect for this compound).
- Using it as a formal or respectful term; it is informal and dated.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, dated term. Official titles are gender-neutral, such as 'Parking Enforcement Officer' or 'Traffic Warden.'
No, it is specifically feminine. A male equivalent in informal speech might be 'meter man,' though that is also outdated and non-standard.
Their primary duty is to monitor parked vehicles at parking meters or paid parking zones and issue citations (tickets) for violations like expired time.
It can be perceived as disrespectful or trivializing, as it uses an outdated gender-specific term ('maid') and is not their professional title. It's best to use the official term.
A female traffic warden whose primary duty is to patrol parking meters and issue tickets for parking violations.
Meter maid is usually informal, slightly dated, potentially derogatory in register.
Meter maid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːtə ˌmeɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːt̬ɚ ˌmeɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'METER' (the parking machine) + 'MAID' (an old-fashioned word for a female servant). She 'serves' the meters by checking them.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS MASCULINE / The trivialization of female authority figures (maid as a servant, not an officer).
Practice
Quiz
Why is the term 'meter maid' considered problematic in modern usage?