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Mary Ann

(UK, historical) An imaginary character to whom the Sheffield Outrages were attributed.

ˈmɛɹi ˈænCurrent100 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(UK, historical) An imaginary character to whom the Sheffield Outrages were attributed.

The entire family fell in love with Mary Ann, holding her, playing peek-a-boo until she would laugh so loudly. The snow had been falling for several days, and it was blistering cold. Our family didn't own an automobile, but Daddy sat
For parents

"Mary Ann" means: An imaginary character to whom the Sheffield Outrages were attributed.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"Mary Ann" means: An imaginary character to whom the Sheffield Outrages were attributed.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (UK) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Cluster: anger
Heard in the wild
  • “Attending an important event: The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention is running a Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day at thr RI State House with Reps Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Joe Solomon. They are supporting 4 priority bills.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Attending an important event: The American Foundation is running a Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day at thr RI State House with Reps Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Joe Solomon. They are supporting 4 priority bills.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Mary Ann Vecchio grieving over the body of Jeffrey Glenn Miller, 1970-05-04.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Blitzy, which says its platform autonomously completes months of software development, raised $200M at a $1.4B valuation, bringing its total funding to $232M+ (Mary Ann Azevedo/Crunchbase News) Main Link | Techmeme Permalink”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “'Every single bramley apple ever eaten can be traced back to the tree, which was planted from a pip by a young girl, Mary Ann Brailsford, in the early 19th century.' www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

"Mary Ann" means: An imaginary character to whom the Sheffield Outrages were attributed.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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UK

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

See all British & Irish slang slang on Slangora.

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