Street
upstate
What does upstate mean?
Doing time in a state penitentiary, often located far from home; 'he's upstate' means he's in prison.
"Her brother's been upstate for three years."
Origin
From New York usage, where state prisons lie north of the city.
Frequently asked questions
What does upstate mean in slang?
It means serving time in a state prison, often far from home. Saying 'he's upstate' is a way of saying he's locked up.
How is upstate used?
It works as shorthand for being incarcerated, as in 'her brother's been upstate for three years.'
Where does the term upstate come from?
It comes from New York usage, where the state prisons sit north of the city, literally 'upstate.'
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