Street
clink
What does clink mean?
A prison; a generic term for being locked up.
"He did six months in the clink for handling stolen goods."
Origin
From The Clink, a notorious medieval prison in Southwark, London; possibly onomatopoeic from clinking chains.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'clink' mean?
'Clink' is a generic slang word for prison, as in 'in the clink' meaning locked up.
Where does 'clink' come from?
It comes from The Clink, a notorious medieval prison in Southwark, London. It may also echo the sound of clinking chains.
How do you use 'clink'?
You'd say someone 'did time in the clink' or is 'in the clink', meaning they served a sentence in prison.
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