hoosgow
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A jail or prison: "Hoosgow" is a slang term, primarily used in American English, to refer to a jail, prison, or lockup. It carries a casual, informal, and often slightly old-fashioned or humorous connotation.
Usage
"Hoosgow" is used informally to talk about being in or being sent to jail. It is not used in formal or legal contexts. Its use often evokes a sense of the American Old West or mid-20th century slang.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "the hoosgow": The definite article "the" is commonly used with "hoosgow," treating it as a specific, understood place of detention, similar to "the clink" or "the slammer."
- He threatened to send me to the hoosgow.
Variants and Related Words
- Hoosegow: An alternative, equally common spelling of the same word.
Synonyms
- Jail: The standard, neutral term.
- Slammer: Another slang term for prison.
- Clink: Slang for jail.
- Pokey: (also "poky") Informal term for a small, local jail.
- Penitentiary: A formal term for a prison.
Idioms
- To be in the hoosgow: To be incarcerated.
- He's in the hoosgow for tax evasion.
- To land in the hoosgow: To be put in jail.
- His reckless driving finally made him land in the hoosgow.