the.com/joy ride
Theft with a smile — borrowing a car the way arson borrows a match.
means A reckless drive taken purely for thrills, often in a vehicle that isn't yours to drive — speed and mischief outweighing any practical purpose.
from American slang from the early 1900s, built plainly from 'joy' plus 'ride.' It first described reckless pleasure-driving in the new craze of automobiles, then quickly narrowed to the specific thrill of taking someone else's car without permission — joyriders being young, carefree, and not terribly concerned with ownership. The phrase later stretched loosely to cover any giddy, out-of-control experience, car optional.
- legal term
- many states charge it separately from grand theft auto
- original use
- 1900s slang for reckless horse-drawn carriage driving
- key distinction
- intent to return the car, not keep it
- usual ending
- ditched car, no gas, questionable decisions