Aug 19, 2010 · In everyday speech, the terms jail and prison are used interchangeably in many situations. However, my understanding is that, at least in the US, they actually refer to slightly …

Aug 3, 2020 · The fellow was nabbed, and placed in the jug.— Lou. Enqr. J.E. Lighter, The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang (1997) points to an instance of jug in the sense of "jail …

Apr 1, 2020 · Louise Pound wrote two brief articles (1930, 1931) that, together, elucidate the uncertain etymology of 'stir' in the sense of "a prison or jail". In the 1930 article, titled "The Etymology of STIR …

May 13, 2012 · Going to prison is called "doing a bid". What's the history behind that? Is it based on "doing bird" (based on being locked up like a bird)?

Jan 19, 2013 · Jail and gaol are indeed still used in unofficial speech for prisons, and sometimes also for police custody. There's a tendency to use jail more often for remand prisoners, but there's no …

To Pull the chain (alternatively Catch the chain) in the jargon of inmates is when you get transferred from one place to another, usually on a prison bus (sometimes referred to as a "chain", or "Bluebird …

2006 New Scientist 29 July 6/4 Prendergast's team studied released convicts in San Diego who had been treated in a prison therapeutic community. I did find the word unprisoned, for which the single …

Feb 6, 2014 · What do you call a former criminal who has served their sentence and been released from prison? I thought of “convicted criminal”, but that might imply the person is still a criminal and/or …

Oct 30, 2016 · 2 According to the Dictionary of Contemporary Slang by Tony Thorne the slang meaning of can for jail is mainly an Australian and American usage and dates back to the late 19th century: …

Jul 3, 2011 · The term screw can refer to a prison guard. An example of this is seen in the folk song The Catalpa: So come all you screw warders and jailers Remember Perth regatta day Take care of the …