meter maid

noun

1. a female member of a police or traffic department responsible for issuing tickets for parking violations.

meter maid

noun

1. informal.
   a female traffic warden

Word History and Origins

Origin of meter maid¹

An Americanism dating back to 1955–60

Example Sentences

He describes his job as being a meter maid.

From Salon

“We think it’s cute. They turned all the cops into meter maids,” he said as he filled his engine with oil.

From The Guardian

“People get out of your way because you’re driving a meter maid car,” she said.

From New York Times

Immediately as the second installment begins we are introduced to Justine Case, the younger version of Carmello’s character, who has been taken off meter maid duty to investigate the murder.

From New York Times

Business might be ground to a halt, but it takes more than a pandemic to stop the meter maid, apparently.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• constable
• deputy
• detective
• marshal
• military police
• officer
• policeman
• trooper