jailbait

English

Pronunciation

• enPR: jāl´bāt, IPA: /ˈdʒeɪlbeɪt/, X-SAMPA: /"dZeIlbeIt/

Alternative forms

• gaolbait (rare)

Etymology

jail +‎ bait, from the risk of a prison sentence.

Noun

jailbait (usually uncountable; plural jailbaits)

1. (slang) A sexually attractive person below the age of consent.
   • 2009 The Economist, “Charis Wilson, model and writer, died on November 20th, aged 95”:

     "The first time she modelled for Edward Weston, in March 1934, Charis Wilson knew she didn’t look good. At 20 she was “a piece of jailbait”, a mere child, especially with the stumpy plaits into which she sometimes twisted her hair."

Synonyms

• lolita, nymph, nymphet, nymphette (female)

Translations

person below the age of consent for sexual activity

• Finnish: sakkoliha (fi)
• French: lolita (fr) f

• Portuguese: chave de cadeia (pt), pita (pt)
• Spanish: cabrita (es) f, muchachita (es) f

See also

• statutory rape