Street
penguin
What does penguin mean?
A prison officer, so called after the black-and-white uniforms once worn by staff.
"Watch it, the penguins are watching the exercise yard today."
Origin
From the black-and-white colour scheme of traditional prison officer uniforms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a penguin in prison slang?
A penguin is a prison officer, nicknamed after the black-and-white uniforms staff traditionally wore.
How is penguin used?
It's used when talking about officers on duty, as in 'the penguins are watching the exercise yard today.'
Why are prison officers called penguins?
Because of the black-and-white colour scheme of the traditional prison officer uniform, which resembles a penguin.
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