Pronunciation: [pˈə͡ʊki] (IPA) 
The word "pokey" can be spelled in different ways, depending on the context and region. In American English, it is typically spelled as "pokey," with the "o" pronounced as /oʊ/. Meanwhile, in British English, it can also be spelled as "poky," with the "o" pronounced as /əʊ/. The word refers to something slow, cramped, or uninteresting. Whether you like it with an "e" or without, the meaning remains the same.
The term "pokey" has multiple meanings and can function as different parts of speech, including an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, "pokey" describes something that is confined or cramped, often suggesting a small and cramped space. It signifies a lack of spaciousness and room for movement or comfort. It can be employed to depict a cramped living space, a crowded room, or a small, narrow passage.
As a noun, "pokey" refers to a prison or jail. It is a colloquial term used primarily in informal contexts to depict a correctional institution where individuals are held in custody as a form of punishment or pending trial. The term's usage for this meaning is mostly found in the United States and the United Kingdom.
In a more figurative sense, "pokey" can express the feeling of something being slow or lacking efficiency. It is often used to describe a person or thing that is sluggish, slow-moving, or behind schedule.
In summary, "pokey" refers to a cramped or confined space, such as a small room or narrow passage. It can also function as a noun, denoting a jail or prison. Lastly, it can describe something or someone as being slow or behind schedule.
The word "pokey" has several different usages and therefore, multiple etymologies:
1. As an adjective meaning small, cramped, or slow:
- This usage originated in the United States around the mid-19th century and is believed to be derived from the word “poke,” meaning to jab or thrust. The idea is that something that is "pokey" moves slowly, as if it were being poked.
2. As a noun meaning jail or prison:
- This usage originated in American English and is a colloquial term. It is derived from "poky", a slang term for a jail cell. The origin of "poky" in this context is uncertain, but it may have originated from the noun "poke", meaning a bag used for carrying money, during the 19th century.
