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pokey (n.)

"jail," by 1919, American English slang, also poky, pogey, of uncertain origin; Barnhart says perhaps altered from pogie "poorhouse" (1891), which itself is of unknown origin.

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Definitions of pokey from WordNet
1
pokey (adj.)
wasting time;
Synonyms: dilatory / laggard / poky
pokey (adj.)
small and remote and insignificant;
Synonyms: jerkwater / one-horse / poky
2
pokey (n.)
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence);
Synonyms: jail / jailhouse / gaol / clink / slammer / poky
From wordnet.princeton.edu