Green’s Dictionary of Slang

around the horn adj.

[? ref. to a voyage ‘around Cape Horn’, a notably rough journey]

1. (US) having experienced unpleasant treatment.

[US]Howsley Argot: Dict. of Und. Sl. 5: around the horn – confined on a misdemeanor.
[US]Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn) 12: around the horn Detained on a minor charge.

2. see around the world n.