Definition of Black Maria in English:
Black Maria
noun blak məˈrʌɪəˌblæk məˈraɪə
1informal A police vehicle for transporting prisoners.
Example sentencesExamples
- The jury comes back within five minutes, the judge dons a black cap, and the defendants commence with a thin chorus of ‘You're going home in a Black Maria.’
- A short, mutton-chopped cop grabbed his sleeve and pushed him toward the open doors of a Black Maria.
- On arrival at Leeds station they were met by a Black Maria which would carry them to Leeds Town Hall where the trial was to be held.
2mass noun A card game in which players try to avoid winning tricks containing the queen of spades or any hearts.
- 2.1 A name for the queen of spades in the game of Black Maria.
Origin
Mid 19th century (originally US): said to be named after a black woman, Maria Lee, who kept a boarding house in Boston and helped police in escorting drunk and disorderly customers to jail.
Definition of Black Maria in US English:
Black Maria
nounˌblæk məˈraɪəˌblak məˈrīə
informal A police vehicle for transporting prisoners.
Example sentencesExamples
- On arrival at Leeds station they were met by a Black Maria which would carry them to Leeds Town Hall where the trial was to be held.
- The jury comes back within five minutes, the judge dons a black cap, and the defendants commence with a thin chorus of ‘You're going home in a Black Maria.’
- A short, mutton-chopped cop grabbed his sleeve and pushed him toward the open doors of a Black Maria.
Origin
Mid 19th century (originally US): said to be named after a black woman, Maria Lee, who kept a boarding house in Boston and helped police in escorting drunk and disorderly customers to jail.