Street
pompey
What does pompey mean?
A term for prison used chiefly in the North of England.
"He's away in pompey again."
Origin
Possibly from HMS Pompee, a prison ship anchored at Portsmouth in the early 19th century.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'pompey' mean?
In this sense 'pompey' means prison, a term used chiefly in the North of England.
Where does 'pompey' come from?
It possibly derives from HMS Pompee, a prison ship anchored at Portsmouth in the early 19th century. ('Pompey' is also a well-known nickname for Portsmouth itself.)
How do you use 'pompey'?
In its prison sense you'd say someone is 'away in pompey', meaning they're locked up again.
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