The slang terms for an ambulance vary widely, ranging from professional and commonly used expressions within emergency medical services (EMS) to more informal or humorous descriptions.
Common Slang Terms for Ambulance
In the world of emergency services, you'll often hear terms used that refer to the ambulance itself or the people and equipment inside it. These terms are frequently used for brevity and clarity among professionals.
Here's a breakdown of common slang terms:
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Medic | Often refers to the paramedic or EMT on board, but sometimes used to denote the ambulance itself. |
| Unit | A general term used by dispatch and personnel to refer to a specific ambulance in service. |
| Rig | A widely used term for an ambulance, referring to the entire vehicle and its equipment. |
| Bus | A common, more informal term, especially when the ambulance is larger or has multiple patients. |
| Wagon | A traditional term, often used informally, especially in older contexts. |
| Rescue | Can refer to a specialized rescue vehicle, but sometimes used broadly for an ambulance, particularly those involved in extrication. |
| Box | Refers to the patient compartment of the ambulance, but often used to describe the entire vehicle. |
Informal and Humorous Slang Terms
Beyond the professional jargon, some more colorful and informal terms are used, often with a touch of dark humor or to describe specific situations.
- Meat-wagon: A grittier, informal term, often used in a more cynical or dark humorous context, implying the transport of injured or deceased individuals.
- Horizontal taxi: A humorous and somewhat crude description, highlighting the ambulance's function of transporting people in a reclined or supine position, similar to a taxi.
- Garage queen: This term refers specifically to an ambulance that spends more time undergoing repairs or sitting idle in the garage than it does actively responding to calls on the street. It implies the vehicle is unreliable or frequently out of service.
These various terms provide insight into the diverse ways people within and outside the EMS community refer to this essential vehicle.
