ムショ上あがり

Meanings

ex-convict; former prisoner

Colloquial and somewhat rough term for someone who has been released from prison. Often carries a negative or stigmatizing nuance.

あの男おとこはムショ上あがりだって噂うわさだ。
Rumor has it that guy is an ex-con.
ムショ上あがりと知しって、みんな距きょ離りを置おいた。
When they found out he was a former prisoner, everyone kept their distance.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

上above, up
務task, duties
所place, extent

Related words

前ぜん科か者もの
前科者 is a more formal term for a person with a criminal record, while ムショ上がり is slang specifically for someone who has served time.
出しゅっ所しょ者しゃ
出所者 is a neutral, official term for a released prisoner, whereas ムショ上がり is colloquial and often derogatory.

Written forms

ムショ上あがり
Common colloquial spelling using katakana for ムショ (prison) and kanji for 上がり.
務む所しょ上あがり
Kanji spelling; 務所 is a slang abbreviation of 刑務所 (prison).

Etymology

Compound of ムショ (slang for 刑務所, prison) and 上がり (from 上がる, meaning 'to come out' or 'to be released'). The exact origin of ムショ is uncertain, but it is a common abbreviation in underworld and colloquial speech.