General
twister to the slammer
What does twister to the slammer mean?
A key, the 'twister' that turns in the 'slammer,' meaning the door.
"Grab the twister to the slammer, we're heading out."
Origin
1930s-40s Harlem jive slang, listed in Cab Calloway's 'Hepster's Dictionary,' where 'slammer' meant a door and 'twister' the key that turned in it. It typifies jive's delight in elaborate, descriptive coinings.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'twister to the slammer' mean?
It's jive for a key to the door, the 'twister' that turns in the 'slammer.'
Where did 'twister to the slammer' come from?
From 1930s-40s Harlem jive, recorded in Cab Calloway's 'Hepster's Dictionary.'
Does 'slammer' mean jail here?
No, in this jive phrase 'slammer' meant a door, not a prison.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
