Home North American English old lag

Definition of old lag in US English:

old lag

noun

slang

  • 1Chiefly Australian. A former convict, especially one who was transported or sentenced to penal servitude.

  • 2A hardened or habitual prisoner; a recidivist. In extended use: = "old hand".

Origin

Early 19th century; earliest use found in James Vaux (1782–c1841). From old + lag.

Pronunciation

old lag

/ˌəʊl(d) ˈlaɡ/