off the chain adj.— «Off the chain: An inmate term, not necessarily derisive, for officers acting slightly wacky or making wisecracks at inmates. As in, “Looks like the sergeant’s off the chain today.”» —“What the lingo means” by Adam C. Smith, Jo...
run the Super Bowl v. phr.— «Run the Super Bowl: An inmate term for “cell extractions,” when officers don what appears to be riot gear—resembling football linebackers—and rush into a cell to subdue a prisoner.» —“What the lingo means” by Adam C...
catchdog n.— «Catchdog: A term guards use to describe officers who will beat up an inmate the brass wants subdued, without being given a direct order to do so and without filing paperwork. The term was previously used to describe inmates who...
ride the bunk v. phr.— «Riding the bunk: Inmates say this occurs when officers order them to remain on their beds and not set foot on the floor of their cell, sometimes for hours at a time.» —“What the lingo means” by Adam C. Smith, Jo Becker St...
jeff v.— «Jeffers: An inmate term for snitches or brown-nosers. Jeffing is the verb. The origin of the term is unknown.» —“What the lingo means” by Adam C. Smith, Jo Becker St. Petersburg Times (Florida) Dec. 30, 1999. (source: Double-Tongued...
Ecuavolley n.— «There’s also a court where the local game, played fiercely here, is “Ecuavolley,” a version of volleyball with a high net and only three players on each side. Any gringo not used to exercising at this altitude will last about the...
