Street
birdbath
What does birdbath mean?
Cleaning oneself at the cell sink with limited water when showers are unavailable during lockdown.
"On lockdown a birdbath at the sink is the best you get."
Origin
From a bird bathing in a shallow basin; general slang applied to cell washing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a birdbath in prison?
It's washing up at the cell sink with limited water when showers aren't available, typically during a lockdown.
How is 'birdbath' used?
It describes the makeshift wash-up, as in 'On lockdown a birdbath at the sink is the best you get.'
Where does the term come from?
It comes from the image of a bird bathing in a shallow basin. It's general slang for a quick sink wash, applied here to washing in the cell.
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