"That's hot" means nothing inside L.A. County Jail, except maybe: "It's hotter in here than a prison fire in August." Now's the time for a whole new set of catchphrases. Herewith, a glossary of helpful terms to help Paris blend in with the natives.

Even if you haven't served time yourself, we've all seen enough prison films to supply a term or two, so click EasyEdit to show Paris the verbal ropes. (Don't see an EasyEdit button above? You need to sign up or sign in above to edit pages on this site.)

A

All day: life sentence. "Be glad, girlfriend, that driving with a suspended license doesn't get you all-day."

B

Baby: weakling; someone marked for harassment

Blind: place where guards can't see prisoners. "Follow me to the blind so I can give you the brick of ramen I smuggled in."

Bo-bos: prison-issued sneakers

Bull dagging: homosexual relations between female prisoners; one who initiates said behavior is a "bull dagger"

C

Catnap: short sentence. "Quit your bitching. Twenty-two days is a total catnap."

Cell soldier: inmate who talks big in her cell, but acts timid in the common areas

Cellie: jail's version of "roomie"

C.O.: correctional officer

D

Date: release date

Ding: prisoner with mental problems. "One look at Jackie and she just snaps, starts hitting herself in the head and yelling. What a ding."

Doowop: to pass through the food line for second servings

E

Escape dust: fog; used only in film noir, but a colorful term nonetheless

F

Fish: new prisoner. "After hearing the newest inmate was a socialite with a sweet rack, Roz and Marge were eager to grab a look-see at the fish."

Fishing kit: package of toiletries given to new prisoners

Flip the pad: turn over your mattress. "Flipping the pad might discourage bugs, but it won't improve this thing's comfort."

Funky: inmate who doesn't shower or keep clean

Four-piece: full sets of restraints, including handcuffs, leg irons, belt and security cover

G

Get buzzed: receive a tattoo. "Wanna get buzzed, missy? Maybe a little teardrop below your left eye?"

Green: money; marijuana

H

Hole: solitary confinement. "After starting the riot, she was sent to the hole."

House tossing: act of a guard throwing an inmate's belongings on the floor

I

Ink: tattoo

Inside: incarceration area of jail

J

Jump the broom: to "marry" another inmate

K

Kitty: female corrections officer; also "kitty kitty"

M

Meds: medicine, usually antidepressants dispensed by the jailhouse nurse

Monkey: corrections officer

N

Navaja: Spanish for "shiv" or "shank." If you learn only one word in Spanish...

Nine-one-one: warning that a guard is coming

O

Outside: world beyond jail; freedom

P

P.C.: protective custody

Pecker palace: trailer or room provided for conjugal visits

Po-po: the police

R

Reals: name-brand cigarettes, as opposed to cheap generic ones

S

Safe: vagina, when used to hide contraband

Shank or shiv: sharpened object, usually a stick or handle, for use as a crude dagger

Shower hawk: prisoner or guard who watches or preys upon inmates in the shower

Siberia: isolation unit

Strawberry: female inmate who will exchange sex for drugs

T

Tune-up: beating by a corrections officer. "Watch the 'tude, Greta, or you'll get a major tune-up come lights out."

Torpedo: prisoner whom a more dominant inmate manipulates into fighting her battles. "Scary Mary tricked Sweet Sally into starting a fight with Biceps Betty. Mary got her message across without lifting a finger, or breaking a nail."

W

Warehouse: overcrowded corrections facility