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DictionaryhoosegowJail
noun

hoosegow

HOOS-gow/ˈhusˌɡaʊ/

A jail or prison.

The locked cell is a hoosegow.

An empty jail cell viewed through its closed steel-bar door, with a conspicuous lock, a narrow fixed bunk, and a small high barred window.
Etymology
hoosegowMexican Spanishtribunal, court

Probably from Mexican Spanish juzgao, “tribunal” or “court,” the word shifts from the place where judgment is delivered to the jail where someone is confined.

More examples

  • The old Western called the town jail a hoosegow.
  • He joked that the prank might land him in the hoosegow.
  • The prisoner spent the night in the hoosegow.

Forms

hoosegow · hoosegows

Similar words

jail
Jail is neutral; hoosegow is humorous American slang, often with a Western flavor.
prison
Prison is the formal institution term; hoosegow is informal and imprecise.