calaboose

[ kal-uh-boos, kal-uh-boos ]

noun

, Slang.

1. jail; prison; lockup.

calaboose

/ ˈkæləˌbuːs /

noun

1. informal.
   a prison; jail

Word History and Origins

Origin of calaboose¹

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; from Louisiana French calabouse, from Spanish calabozo “dungeon,” of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of calaboose¹

C18: from Creole French, from Spanish calabozo dungeon, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

But mind, the three waifs were never in the town; only on the beach and in the calaboose.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course, and if we leave him in that weak old calaboose, they'll get more help and take him out to-night.

From Project Gutenberg

An army might lose enthusiasm and prestige if it spent a night or two in the calaboose.

From Project Gutenberg

They conducted us to what they had termed "the calaboose," a big, ramshackle, one-roomed barn-like structure.

From Project Gutenberg

We want a locomotive and a calaboose to take us to Boynton, and we are quite willing to pay anything reasonable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• police headquarters
• station house