Street
slammer
What does slammer mean?
The slammer is jail or prison, named for the slamming of cell doors.
"He spent the weekend in the slammer for the bar fight."
Origin
American slang, mid-20th century.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'slammer' mean?
It's slang for jail or prison, said to come from the sound of cell doors slamming shut.
How do you use 'slammer'?
You say someone is 'in the slammer' when they're locked up: 'He spent the weekend in the slammer.'
Where does 'slammer' come from?
It's mid-20th-century American slang, evoking the slam of a closing cell door.
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