Etymology Map
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Hoosegow

2 stages from Mexican Spanish to English.

Today it means a jail

Where does the word "hoosegow" come from? It comes from Mexican Spanish juzgado, adopted directly into English (1900s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
juzgado
Mexican Spanish · 1800s
"court"
a tribunal or court, from 'juzgar', to judge
2
Stage 2 of 2
hoosegow
American English · 1900s
"jail"
cowboys in the Southwest turned the court into a jail
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Read the full story

Hoosegow’s story begins in Mexican Spanish: juzgado meant “court.” A tribunal or court, from 'juzgar', to judge. It reached English by 1900s as hoosegow. Cowboys in the Southwest turned the court into a jail. Today, hoosegow means a jail.