Question #25279. Asked by Niki.
Last updated Sep 29 2016.
Originally posted Sep 28 2016 3:48 PM.
sam388
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sam388 12 year member
110 replies
Answer has 6 votes.
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The term 'jailbird' is a prisoner or convict, someone who is habitually found in jail.
The original spelling for 'jail' is 'gaol' and the term 'gaol bird' can be traced back to medieval England in late 16th and early 17th century. At that time, convicts were often suspended in iron cages above the ground where they would be seen by the public. The cages resembled birdcages, which gave the term 'gaol bird' for the convicts.
https://idiomation.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/jailbird/