Why is a cell called a Peter?

Cell (1800s). Originated from the old slang 'peter', for portmanteau (a trunk or a box), the term was applied to the box-like qualities of a cell) A black peter was a punishment cell, usually a very dark one. Associated peters were cells with at least two prisoners in them.

Why do Cockneys call a cell a Peter?

Other indications of the fact these words originated here are words coming from cockney rhyming slang like 'Peter' for a safe or prison cell, a peter-man is a safecracker. Berkman uses 'Pete-man' for the same thing.

Why do they call a safe a Peter?

It's Cockney rhyming slang. A safe is called “a can”, which leads you in the obscure logic of East End language to be “peter pan” which is shortened to “Peter”. So a Peter man was a man who dealt with safes. Many Scottish safe crackers ended up in Peterhead prison….

What do they call food in jail?

A spread is a prison meal made by inmates. Spreads are often made with commissary ingredients, such as instant ramen and corn puffs. Spreads can be simple meals, or elaborate and inventive combinations of ingredients.

Where does the term doing porridge come from?

do ˈporridge. (British English, old-fashioned, informal) be in prison serving a sentence: He's doing porridge again, this time for armed robbery. This comes from the fact that as porridge is a cheap food that makes the stomach feel full, it was often served in prisons.

Family Guy – Funny Peter Acting Like a Child Clips

Is oatmeal served in prisons?

Porridge used to be a significant part of a prisoner's diet, but news has emerged that the breakfast food has now been banned in prisons for over a decade.

Is porridge a British thing?

Porridge made from rolled oats or ground oatmeal is common in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, North America, Finland and Scandinavia. It is known as simply "porridge" or, more commonly in the United States and Canada, "oatmeal".

Why is breakfast at 2am in jail?

The sheriff's office explained that the timing was necessary because some medication needs to be taken before breakfast. Breakfast is early, the sheriff's office said, because some inmates need to get ready for court hearings.

Why are new inmates called fish?

Fish has been recorded as prison slang for new inmates since the 1870s. The term apparently likens new prisoners to fish fresh out of the water. One theory about the slang's origin claims that inmates were issued uniforms with their inmate numbers stamped with an ink that smelled fishy when wet.

Why do inmates hold pockets?

Usually, a prison slave would grab T-Bag's pocket to make sure he was in his gang and to ensure safety in the prison. Failure to do so would mean a very angry T-Bag.

Why is 500 a monkey?

The term was coined by British soldiers returning from India where the 500 rupee note of that era had a picture of a monkey on it. They used the term monkey for 500 rupees and on returning to England the saying was converted to sterling to mean £500.

Why is a watch called a kettle?

When pocket watches first became fashionable, they were held against the body by use of a small chain. The watch then slipped into the pocket and could be easily extracted without dropping it. These were called fob watches, and it's from this expression that we get Kettle and Hob for watch.

What does Kermit mean in cockney rhyming slang?

Kermit is Cockney slang for Road.

What is a Peterman called?

Definition of peterman

1 : fisherman. 2 [peter entry 1 + man] slang : safecracker.

What is doing a Peter?

to diminish gradually and stop; dwindle to nothing; gradually come to an end (usually followed by out or away): The criticism seems to have petered out. The hearings petered to an inevitable conclusion. to tire; become exhausted (usually followed by out): I began to peter out after walking about 2 miles. GOOSES.

What is a kite in jail?

One such word is "kite." In a jail or a prison, the term "kite" refers to a written request for something. Kites can be made for anything, but those of us in the medical department deal with medical kites.

Why is Scofield called snowflake?

It was also slang for cocaine, "snow" for short. Chuck Palahniuk's 1990s Fight Club novel and the movie adaptation have often been credited as the originator of using this feathery ice crystal in a metaphorical way. The novel contains this grim reminder: "You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake.

Why do the cons call the new arrivals fish in Shawshank Redemption?

I have just heard this same use of “fish” for new prisoners in a re-run of the 1994 film “The Shawshank Redemption”. It is used in the opening scenes of the prison when veteran prisoners are betting on which of the new “fish”, i.e. newly arrived prisoners, will break down during the first night.

Can you sleep all day in jail?

The answer to this is a straight no, regardless of the prison. Sleeping the whole day is not an option. To begin with, in between the day, there are count times which you should be present.

Why do you gain weight in jail?

Research has suggested that, along with spending large portions of their day confined to small areas, prisoners are often offered meals lacking fresh fruit, vegetables, or other options low in fat and sodium.

Do they turn the lights off in jail?

At 9 PM, inmates return to their housing area and are allowed to watch television, play checkers, chess, cards or write letters. At 11 PM, the inmate is locked into his cell and the lights are dimmed for the night. In medium security prisons, most inmates remain in the prison 24 hours a day.

Why do Scots put salt in porridge?

As the comments above suggest, adding salt is a shibboleth, a test for Scottishness or identification with Scotland in the vast diaspora of Scots. And it makes practical sense if one is cooking a porridge to keep cold for the next day or the rest of the week (more on that later).

What do Americans mean by oatmeal?

Obviously the American use of "oatmeal" to mean a breakfast cereal (even when it's made from whole oats, not from meal) is identical to the English word "porridge".

How do British people say oatmeal?

Having been served it in English B and Bs, I had the sense that in the U.K., “porridge” means what we call “oatmeal.” Anglo-American linguist Lynne Murphy confirmed this, basically.

What do prisoners eat on Christmas?

Turkey, turkey ham, sliced beef, mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, green salad and dressing, mixed vegetables, cornbread, chicken patties, American cheese slices, fruit pie. Knight can enjoy dinner and a superhero movie ... the institution's movie channel is playing a Marvel movie festival during the holidays.