Pokey: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
pokey
[ หpoสki ]
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.
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:
๐ต๐น lento
๐ฎ๐ณ เคงเฅเคฎเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช langsam
๐ฎ๐ฉ lambat
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพะฒัะปัะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ powolny
๐ฏ๐ต ้ ใ
๐ซ๐ท lent
๐ช๐ธ lento
๐น๐ท yavaล
๐ฐ๐ท ๋๋ฆฐ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุจุทูุก
๐จ๐ฟ pomalรฝ
๐ธ๐ฐ pomalรฝ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ ข
๐ธ๐ฎ poฤasen
๐ฎ๐ธ lรกtur
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแจแแแแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ yavaล
๐ฒ๐ฝ lento
Etymology
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.
- ...
- 38336 gutless
- 38337 unpolitical
- 38338 kitted
- 38339 pokey
- 38340 chortle
- 38341 embroiderer
- 38342 nonresistant
- ...