Gen Z Slang · slang
What Does 'Mormon Assault Vehicle' Mean?
Mainstream
See it in action
Video: Top 10 Latter-day Saint (Mormon) Missionary Slang Terms, embedded from its original platform.
What it means
Mormon assault vehicle is a slang term for a large family-oriented vehicle, typically a station wagon, minivan, or SUV, that is used to transport many children and groceries at once.
The acronym M.A.V. appears in the same sources, and the phrase is often applied to models such as the Chevy Suburban, Ford Explorer, Ford Excursion, Nissan Titan, or 15-passenger vans seen heading to school, soccer games, church, and other youth activities.
The term carries a set of stereotypes about the driver: Mormon women are said to be the typical operators, often described as having their hair done up, wearing makeup, and sporting half-see-through shiny silver glasses. Vehicles may be customized with rims, spinners, tinted windows, spoilers, or aftermarket xenon lights. Trucks rarely qualify unless they are crew cabs, and the phrase is sometimes confused with "Polyg rigs" linked to fundamentalist Mormons.
A common joke notes that because the vehicle is full, its pollution-per-person rate is low, and the line "they breed like rabbits" is used to satirize the idea that large families justify big cars.
Among members of the Latter-Day Saint community the phrase can be worn as a badge of pride, signaling a large, active family that regularly fills the vehicle for church, youth sports, and grocery runs; the tone is often affectionate or self-deprecating rather than purely mocking.
When used by outsiders, especially in online forums or comment sections, the term carries a teasing or mildly hostile edge, highlighting perceived excess, environmental impact, or the stereotype of the 'soccer mom' with flashy accessories.
The phrase also appears in jokes that riff on military language, calling the minivan a 'holy warrior troop transport' or 'M.A.V.', to underscore the contrast between combat vehicles and a vehicle loaded with children and groceries, a juxtaposition that fuels the humor. [1][2][3][4][5]
The receipts
Documented, dated uses of “mormon assault vehicle” — each quote is verbatim from the linked source.
“ion for the 2a rally at the Utah State Capital on Feb 8th. Adds new meaning to “Mormon Assault Vehicle” doesn’t it. Commands respect. Who wants to ride with me? 😂 Photo borrowed from @jpdx 🇺🇸 FOLLOW @longrangeshootersofu…”
“ne ready for a rip!! Haha! The newest member of the family! The Sherpa aka MAV (Mormon Assault Vehicle)! @sherpa @american_snowmobiler #rltphotos #2018amsnowsledbuild #mav #mormonassaultvehicle”
“What if Wednesday?................. Mormon Assault Vehicle. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #notmyphoto #wishitwas #badassery #mormonassaultvehicle #lowasfuck #vannin #vanlife #soccermum #phat #lowe…”
Every quote above passed the same verification gate this site publishes under: real source, real date, copied verbatim. See the editorial policy.
Why it's everywhere
The slang has persisted in online dictionaries for over two decades, with an original Urban Dictionary entry from 2005 and a refreshed entry dated 2026-08-30 showing continued interest. This longevity indicates that the term remains recognizable in internet vernacular and periodically resurfaces in discussions about family vehicles.
Because the acronym MAV is short and evocative, it appears in meme captions, Reddit threads, and Twitter replies where users point out oversized vans or SUVs. The phrase surfaces in conversations about vehicle size, environmental impact, and Mormon family stereotypes, keeping it in circulation as a humorous shorthand for a conspicuously large, kid-filled vehicle.
The brevity of the acronym MAV makes it convenient for meme captions, tweet replies, and Reddit comments where users quickly label an oversized van or SUV they encounter on the road.
Discussions about fuel economy, emissions, and the 'pollution-per-person' argument frequently revive the phrase, as users point out that a fully occupied large vehicle can have a lower per-capita impact, a point often made tongue-in-cheek with the 'they breed like rabbits' line.
How to use it
Used in casual, humorous online talk; generally light-hearted teasing, not considered highly offensive.
- “Yo, did you see that? That Mormon Assault Vehicle almost cracked us!”Comment on a traffic video showing a large van cutting off a car.
- “At the stop light on Sunday morning, we pulled up next to a M.A.V. and mooned their churchy asses.”Reddit post describing a weekend encounter with a family van.
- “Son: Look at that huge van Mommy is that a Mormon Assault Vehicle? Mom: No dear that's just a Soccer Mom who has too much money and not enough sense to drive an earth friendly vehicle.”Meme caption illustrating generational teasing about big family vehicles.
- “Damn, check out the milf in the MAV!”Tweet reacting to a photo of a woman driving a loaded SUV.
Frequently asked
What vehicles are typically called Mormon assault vehicles?
Large vans or SUVs such as the Chevy Suburban, Ford Explorer, Ford Excursion, Nissan Titan, or 15-passenger vans that haul many children and groceries.
Is the term offensive or just a joke?
It is mostly used humorously or teasingly to stereotype Mormon family vehicles; some may find it disparaging depending on context, but it is generally regarded as light-hearted slang.
Why do people associate the term with environmental arguments?
Jokes claim that because the vehicle is full, its pollution-per-person rate is low, and the line “they breed like rabbits” is used to satirize the idea that large families justify big cars.
Related slang
More slang
Sources
- urbandictionary.com — Urban Dictionary: mormon assault vehicle
- urbandictionary.com — Urban Dictionary: mormon assault vehicle
- slangdefine.org — Slang Define: What is Mormon Assault Vehicle? - meaning and definition
- slangdefine.org — Slang Define: What is M.a.v.? - meaning and definition
- acronymsandslang.com — What does MAV mean? - Definition of MAV - MAV stands for Mormon Assault Vehicle. By AcronymsAndSlang.com