General
chokey
What does chokey mean?
British slang for prison, and more specifically for solitary confinement or the punishment block. Roald Dahl made it famous to a generation via Miss Trunchbull's torture cupboard in Matilda, but the word's been knocking around English since the British Raj.
"Step out of line again and you'll be doing a week in the chokey."
Origin
From Hindi 'chauki' meaning a shed, station or lockup. Brought back to Britain by colonial troops and police, in English use since the 1850s.
Frequently asked questions
What does chokey mean?
Chokey is British slang for prison, or specifically for solitary confinement.
How do you use chokey in a sentence?
You might hear 'He did six months in the chokey.'
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