Date:    Thu, 21 May 1998 18:45:22 +1000
<br>From:    Ross Chambers <maelduin[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OZEMAIL.COM.AU>
<br>Subject: Paddy wagon query
<br>
<br>HELP!! I wrote to a journalist on Australian national radio who used the
<br>expression "paddy wagon" when covering a strike.
<br>
<br>Relying on Partridge I said that the expression was pejorative to Irish
<br>people.
<br>
<br>I have received in reply definitions from:
<br>
<br>OED2, Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Random House 1966,
<br>The Macquarie Dictionary, Brewer's Dictionary of 20th Century Phrase and
<br>Fable. Partridge, Picturesque Expressions-Urdang, Hunsinger and La Roche
<br>and Wicked Words-Rawson.
<br>
<br>in defense of the phrase's lack of negative national connotations.
<br>
<br>A couple of these definitions are equivocal regarding the origin of the
<br>phrase (including Partridge) and attribute it to the Paddies of the US
<br>police forces, but possibly to the Paddies who found themselves habitual
<br>passengers in these waggons.
<br>
<br>I am prepared to eat crow if necessary--but would appreciate any
<br>possibilty of rescue.
<br>
<br>Kind regards - Ross Chambers
<br>
<br>--
<br>
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<br>Ross Chambers           Sydney       Australia
<br>maelduin[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ozemail.com.au
<br>
<br>"L'Australia non e solo agli antipodi, e lontana da tutto,
<br>  talora anche da sa stessa."
<br>
<br>(Australia is not only  at the Antipodes, she is away from everything,
<br>sometimes even from herself)
<br>
<br>Umberto Eco
<br>
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