When I’m writing, I tend to write like I talk. Oftentimes I’ll be working on a post and upon rereading drafts I’ll realize that I’ve used a number of terms that you may not know, especially if you’ve never been incarcerated. Sometimes I’ll replace them with common words and phrases, but I loathe doing that. Who wants to read that stuff? So this week I’m posting a glossary for you New Fish, for those times when you simply must know what that word means! There’s no shame in taking a peek. Go ahead, check it out now. I’ll wait.

The Joint has a language of its own, specific to the region of the country you’re in. Inmates out West and on the East Coast would have difficulty understanding some of the terms we use here in the Midwest. Likewise, I’d have similar difficulty following some of what they say. To live and speak in This World is to learn what amounts to foreign language words and phrases.

*For New Fish you all did pretty good. Now quit eye hustling, it’s annoying. Go share this post with someone. —Christopher—