Cadillac converter

Noun

Cadillac converter (plural Cadillac converters)

1. (Southern US, humorous, nonstandard, often, malapropism) Synonym of catalytic converter (“chamber containing a finely divided platinum catalyst in which carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from vehicle exhaust are oxidized to carbon dioxide”).
   • Anyway, wherever he was, all he ever talked about was Cadillac converters and pipe. His work with pipe paid off when he was awarded the honor of "Repairman of the Week."1992, Ricardo Cortez Cruz, “The Bloods and the Crips, Starring Billy Bugle Boy”, in Straight Outta Compton, Normal, Ill.; Boulder, Colo.: University of Colorado; Fiction Collective Two, →ISBN, page 65
   • He then asked, “What is a Cadillac converter?” At this point, I'm thinking he doesn't know much about cars; therefore, I went on to explain. From the look on his face, I knew he was setting me up for an attack. He replied, "The proper words are catalytic converter."2008, Gilbert A. Knowles, “Why Listen to Me?”, in Help Them Pull Their Pants Up: How Mentors and Communities Can Empower Young African American Men, Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse, →ISBN, part I (The...

   Synonyms:

   catalytic converter