Definition

Noun: * A jail or prison: "Hoosegow" is a slang term, primarily used in American English, to refer to a jail, prison, or lockup. It carries a somewhat informal or old-fashioned tone.

Usage

This word is used as a countable noun to refer to the physical building where people are held in legal custody. It is informal slang.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The sheriff threw the troublemakers in the hoosegow for the night.
  • After the bar fight, he spent a weekend in the local hoosegow.
  • The old western movie ended with the villain being carted off to the hoosegow.

Advanced Usage

• "the hoosegow": Often used with the definite article "the" to refer to a specific, familiar, or generic jail.
  • If you're not careful, you'll end up in the hoosegow.

Variants and Related Words

• Hoosegow can also be spelled hoosgow. Both spellings are accepted.

Synonyms

• Jail: A place for the detention of persons held in lawful custody.
• Pokey (slang): Another informal term for jail.
• Clink (slang): Informal term for prison.
• Slammer (slang): Informal term for prison.
• Lockup: A jail, especially a local one for temporary confinement.

Word Origin

The word "hoosegow" entered American English in the early 20th century from the Mexican Spanish word juzgado, which means "a court or tribunal." Through colloquial use, its meaning shifted from the place of judgment to the place of detention.

Noun

1. slang for a jail