gronk n.— «Delaveris was immediately hooked on prison lingo—and particularly taken with one word, “gronk,” which has myriad meanings. In prison parlance, it’s a derogatory term for inmates used by prison guards. Linguists...
spinner n.— «There’s the predictable “Hi, Mum” and “Missing you, Julie” alongside common prison lingo such as “screw” and “spinner,” the latter a term referring to the inmate generally known...
hang up n.— «One New Year’s Eve nine years ago, four inmates told her they were going to “hang up”—jailspeak for committing suicide by hanging.» —“Nun helps inmates beat the holiday blues” by Bill...
snag n.— «Cash L. Hopkins, 25, an inmate from the Indian Ridge Corrections Center in Snohomish County, was killed Aug. 18 at the Ace Creek fire when a burning snag fell on him.» —“Forest-Fire Death Spurs State Review” in...
lick n.— «Mr. Hubbard told him he had “hit a lick”—slang for a robbery.» —“For inmate, ex-con may hold key to freedom after 17 years” by Steve McGonigle Dallas Morning News (Texas) Sept. 18, 2004...
murderabilia n.— «He wants to use the sales as the first test case of a state law against criminals profiteering from the marketing of personal artifacts, which range from artwork to hair strands. He refers to it such memorabilia as...