Word: pokey (adjective)

Associations

"Pokey" describes something that is slow, cramped, or not very exciting. It often has a negative feeling, suggesting that something is frustratingly slow or dull.

• Example 1: "The pokey old car took forever to reach the destination." (Here, "pokey" suggests the car is slow and frustrating to drive.)
• Example 2: "We were stuck in a pokey little room with no windows." (In this case, "pokey" describes the room as cramped and uncomfortable.)
• Example 3: "The service at the restaurant was pokey, and we had to wait a long time for our food." (Here, "pokey" indicates that the service was slow and unsatisfactory.)

A well-known synonym for "pokey" is "slow." However, "pokey" often implies a sense of annoyance or frustration with the slowness, while "slow" can be a neutral description.

Substitution

Instead of "pokey," you could use:

• "slow," which is more neutral.
• "sluggish," which suggests a lack of energy or speed.
• "lethargic," which implies a more extreme level of slowness, often related to tiredness.

Each substitution changes the tone slightly, with "sluggish" and "lethargic" having a stronger negative connotation.

Deconstruction

The word "pokey" comes from the American English slang. It is derived from "poke," which means to push or prod. The idea is that something that is "pokey" is not moving quickly or is being poked along slowly.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt frustrated because something was pokey? What was it?
• How would you describe a "pokey" experience in a different context, like at school or work?
• Do you think "pokey" can be used to describe a person? Why or why not?