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

“By that last part, he is referring to another slang term, ‘cally,’ which is a police station, short for “calaboose,” derived from the Spanish “calabozo,” Barrett clarified.

From Los Angeles Times

And can someone catapult Steve Bannon into the calaboose already?

From Slate

“Say to Mr. Pearl, ‘Me and my buddy been tryin’ to rob Blakeslee’s store, so come git us and put us in the calaboose!’

From Literature

Yet for many Americans, especially younger ones, going home for Thanksgiving is a weekend in the calaboose.

From Wall Street Journal

“I picked up a side of the sheet and walked right in the calaboose with the men. I walked in the calaboose carrying a rotten dead Negro.”

From Literature

Related Words

• police headquarters
• station house