What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
An "agitator" is an inmate who does everything to start fights with other inmates and prison guards, just for his or her own enjoyment.
Some prisoners aren't allowed to leave their cells during meal time, and instead they get their food delivered via the "bean slot." It's an opening on the door that allows a tray to slip through.
"Prison safe" refers to the safest place in the inmates' cell. This is where they might stash drugs, cash, and other contraband during cell inspections.
When a prisoner wants to get revenge against a correction officer, they might resort to "gassing," which means to throw urine or feces at them from behind bars.
If a prisoner wounds another inmate with a weapon or during a physical fight, it's known as a "buck fifty," because it might take 150 stitches to close it up.
The term "heat wave" is used when attention is brought to a group of inmates by one or several prisoners doing something, such as fighting or dealing with contraband.
"Got a body" is a phrase used when a prisoner has killed another person. It tends to be used for people who are actually facing murder charges.
This term is given to someone convicted of a crime who just arrived to prison. A "fish" is new to prison politics and how the facility is operated.
The term is used to describe ultra-high-security lockup where inmates are segregated, often for their own security. It's also used for celebrities who might be targeted by other inmates.
"Mofongo" is a prison meal that consists of a mixture of chips, ramen, instant rice, mackerel, pre-wrapped sausages, and seasoning.
Sources: (Mental Floss) (Los Angeles Times)
"Kite" refers to a contraband note passed between incarcerated people. Usually, messages are written on a small piece of paper that’s folded and secretively passed to others.
When a prisoner has a prohibited item and no place to hide it, they might "keister" it. This means to place the item into their rear.
"Jody" is a man who hooks up with an imprisoned person’s wife or girlfriend outside of prison. The term is believed to have originated with the military when enlisted men were away.
The term is used for those with a life sentence. So if you're in without parole, you've got an "all day." And if you're in for a year, then you're doing a "bullet."
In prison, "programmer" is slang describing an inmate who spends most of their time going to classes and trying to become a better person.
If an incarcerated person gets upset and starts to destroy toilets and sinks, then they're dubbed a "porcelain termite."
In prison slang, "hard candy" is a gang or an individual who committed a serious violation of unwritten jailhouse rules, such as snitching on someone.
"Pruno" refers to a moonshine made with water, fermented bread, and fruit or fruit peelings. It's usually placed in a bag and hidden.
"Road kill" in prison is actually cigarette butts picked on the side of the road by prison workers and then rerolled with toilet paper to become cigarettes for inmates.
People who wear orange correctional apparel during processing or while incarcerated are sometimes called "pumpkins." If a group of them are together, then they're called a "pumpkin patch."
People who are incarcerated together and form a tight bond of friendship are considered "road dogs." The term also applies to people who were friends outside of prison.
A "car" in prison slang refers to a group of prisoners who exert heavy influence over other inmates and activities. If a person is a "fish," then they might want to be careful with some "cars."
When there has been some drama or beef with rival gangs, prisoners can put a hit on them, saying these inmates are "X'd out." This means in theory that their days are numbered.
Prison is a place with a lot of bargaining in lieu of cash, so creativity has always been key when it comes to commerce. A "two-for-three" is an offer to hand over two of something in exchange for three of something else.
The term stems from when correctional officers wears riot gear. It has been said by some that they resemble the actual Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
A "shot caller" is an incarcerated person who calls the shots and hands down the orders when it comes to prisoners with a lower rank.
"Shank" has been used for decades to describe various things, such as the part of a tobacco pipe known as the leg, or as slang for a makeshift knife.
Anyone who loves prison dramas, like 'Oz,' 'Prison Break,' or 'Orange Is the New Black,' knows that inmates have their own jargon for their incarcerated life. These terms are used to describe common actions, items, and people they encounter on the inside.
So, want to find out what terms like "porcelain termite" and "shank" mean in prison? Then check out the following gallery.
Prison slang you didn’t know the meaning of
Do you know what pruno is?
LIFESTYLE Language
Anyone who loves prison dramas, like 'Oz,' 'Prison Break,' or 'Orange Is the New Black,' knows that inmates have their own jargon for their incarcerated life. These terms are used to describe common actions, items, and people they encounter on the inside.
So, want to find out what terms like "porcelain termite" and "shank" mean in prison? Then check out the following gallery.