Calling a "CO" Boss originally meant what?

[Common Sense]

You've seen it in the movies, and yes some inmates still call CO's or Deputy's "Boss".

What does it mean or used to mean?

[Dr. Gonzo]

I think "CO" comes from the military Commanding Officer which basically means the boss.

[Common Sense]

I think "CO" comes from the military Commanding Officer which basically means the boss.

Good guess doc, but that's not it.

[purplecityhello]

boss is what past-slaves HAD to call anywhite man who they adressed and didnt know his name. i.e excuse me BOSS iz lookin for the nearest gas station, could you show me the way please kind sir?
its a term for whites in power
and guess what most of the COs are?

[Common Sense]

boss is what past-slaves HAD to call anywhite man who they adressed and didnt know his name. i.e excuse me BOSS iz lookin for the nearest gas station, could you show me the way please kind sir?

This was probably true during slavery, but during the turn of the century (1900's) in the prison system, many whites were incarcerated, and they too called the CO's "Boss."

I'll reveal the answer later today.

[Common Sense]

Old School prisoners that called the CO's "Boss" especially the one's they didn't like, didn't say it out of respect. The word "Boss" stood for Sorry Son of A Bytch, spelled backwards.

As time went on prisoners lost track of these initials and most likely started sayin' "Boss" out of respect.

[purplecityhello]

Old School prisoners that called the CO's "Boss" especially the one's they didn't like, didn't say it out of respect. The word "Boss" stood for Sorry Son of A Bytch, spelled backwards.

As time went on prisoners lost track of these initials and most likely started sayin' "Boss" out of respect.

thanks for that tidbit boss

[Psilly]

I think "CO" comes from the military Commanding Officer which basically means the boss.

corrections officer

[Common Sense]

thanks for that tidbit boss

LOL.