north. dial. and slang. [Origin uncertain: cf. KIDCOTE.]
1. A prison, jail or lock-up; a house of correction.
1825. Brockett, Kitty, the house of correction. Newcastle.
1832. W. Stephenson, Gateshead Local Poems, 28.
| Besides we had a nice tollbooth, | |
| To pull’d down was a pity, | |
| And in its stead we’ve got—forsooth— | |
| A vile pernicious kitty. |
1864. Daily Tel., 22 Sept. The Provost [of Jedburgh] ordered another man to be taken into custody; said the crowd, ‘If ane gangs t’ the kitty, we’ll a’ gang.’
1888. Monthly Chron. N.-Country Lore & Leg., II. June, 285/1. Wey, man, that’s a fine kitty.
2. ‘A pool into which each player in a card-game puts a certain amount of his winnings, to be used in meeting expenses, as for room-rent, refreshments, etc.’ (Cent. Dict.)
1892. Daily Chron., 5 March, 9/2 (Farmer, Slang). Five or six men playing ‘Nap,’ with a kitty for drinks, kitty being the pool and the payment to it of a half-penny.
