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Pokey: meaning, definitions and examples

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pokey

 

[ หˆpoสŠki ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

slow movement

Pokey is often used to describe something that is slow or sluggish, whether referring to a person, vehicle, or process. This term typically conveys a sense of frustration at the lack of speed. It can also imply confinement or being cramped, as in a small space lacking sufficient room. The word suggests a comparison to swifter alternatives, highlighting the ineffectiveness or inconvenience of the pokey subject.

Synonyms

lethargic, plodding, slow, sluggish, unhurried

Examples of usage

  • The traffic was incredibly pokey during rush hour.
  • The old car was so pokey that we decided to walk instead.
  • His pokey response made everyone impatient.
Context #2 | Noun

prison or jail

In certain contexts, pokey is used as slang for a jail or prison. This informal usage conveys a sense of confinement and often has a derogatory connotation, suggesting that the place is not only a limitation but also an undesirable setting. This meaning can evoke a sense of discomfort or lack of freedom associated with being incarcerated.

Synonyms

cell, clink, jail, lockup, prison

Examples of usage

  • He spent a few nights in the pokey for petty theft.
  • The pokey was overcrowded and had poor conditions.
  • She joked about her time in the pokey for getting caught sleeping in class.

Translations

Translations of the word "pokey" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคงเฅ€เคฎเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช langsam

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lambat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฒั–ะปัŒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ powolny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้…ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lent

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yavaลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋Š๋ฆฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุทูŠุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pomalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ pomalรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ…ข

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ poฤasen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ lรกtur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐััƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒจแƒ•แƒ”แƒœแƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yavaลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lento

Word origin

The word 'pokey' has its origins in the late 19th century, likely deriving from the word 'poke', which has numerous meanings related to pushing or prodding, often implying slowness or smallness. One theory suggests that it is a variation of 'poke', which in American English denotes moving something with a quick jab. The evolution of the term into informal slang for jail can be traced back to the same era, where it began to take on the connotation of a small, confined space. By the early 20th century, pokey became popular in American vernacular, especially in the context of law enforcement and the judicial system. Its use has expanded over the years, maintaining its original essence while taking on additional meanings, such as in describing anything that is annoyingly slow or underwhelming.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,339, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.