Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also binn) a pocket.

c.1864		A. Stephens ‘The Chickaleary Cove’ 🎵 The stock around my squeeze a guiver colour see, And the vestat with the bins so rorty.
1931		‘English Und. Sl.’ in Variety 8 Apr. n.p.: Outside binn—Outside jacket pocket; Waistcoat binn—Waistcoat pocket; Top binn—Top coat pocket.
1935		Thieves Slang ms list from District Police Training Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwicks 2: Bin: pocket.
1954		(con. 1940s) E. Lambert Veterans 15: ‘Touch your bin,’ said Lasher, and Tully produced the money for the next drink.
1965		L. Dunne Goodbye to The Hill (1966) 145: There I was with just over three quid in my bin.
1967		‘Whisper All Aussie Dict.’ in Kings Cross Whisper (Sydney) xxxii .
1970		G.F. Newman Sir, You Bastard 179: I don’t keep that sort of dough in m’bin.
1972		Parramatta Jail Gloss. B. Moore (ed.) (2023) 57: bin, pocket.
1986		R.G. Barrett Godson 375: [T]hree grand in his bin.
1986		J. Sullivan ‘From Prussia With Love’ Only Fools and Horses [TV script] Anna is gonna go straight back to the Fatherland with 300 drachma in her bin!
2001		K. Sampson Outlaws (ms.) 133: They won’t scoff at the extra half-mill in my back bin, and all.
2003		Bug (Aus.) Sept. 🌐 Sure, back in the good old days [...] I’d hit the bin for a couple of Ks for the Nats.
2010		K. Richards Life 175: The first real cash I ever saw [...] I did nothing with it. I just kept it in my bin.

2. an unpleasant or run-down place.

1885		Bulletin (Sydney) 2 May 10/3: You must go into a bin called a ‘sixpenny-bar,’ and choke until the red-knuckled handmaid has supplied you with your ‘poison.’.
1967		J. Wynnum I’m a Jack, All Right 10: She’d turn un-romantic in a hurry if she learned of some of the bins ou’ve patronised around Wonchai.

3. (US) a safe.

1900

A.H. Lewis ‘Crime That Failed’ in Sandburrs 81: There was a hay-mow full of money in that bin!

4. a psychiatric institution.

1938		E. Waugh Scoop 10: To my certain knowledge she’s driven three men into the bin.
1942		L.A.G. Strong Unpractised Heart 77: The chaps who certified you and popped you in the bin.
1947		G. Fairlie Bulldog Drummond Stands Fast 16: There is no hope, and the bin is to be my home until I die.
1971		K. Amis letter in Leader (2000) 271: He went to the bin.
1978		A. Burgess 1985 (1980) 178: The bin? The asylum? Impossible, you have to establish insanity.
1981		P. Reading ‘Legacies’ in Tom O’Bedlam’s Beauties 48: Still, better pull yourself together, Ethel old girl, or you’ll end up like poor Perry – finish your days in the Bin.
1988		M. Atwood Cat’s Eye (1989) 178: She’s crazy [...] She should be in a bin.
1996		R. Rendell Keys to the Street 125: He was in this bin for most of the Eighties.
2000		Guardian Rev. 12 May 5: The lovable-grump-in-the-bin role.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 138: When he wasn’t in the bin he lived like a vagrant in a cottage on his brother’s paltry estate.

5. a police or prison cell.

1977		D. Powis Signs of Crime 173: Bin Cell.
1989		J. Morton Lowspeak.
2021		Central Cee ‘6 for 6’ 🎵 Could’ve been in the bin if it weren’t for the gloves that I had when I wrapped that rizz.

6. prison.

1993		M.B. ‘Chopper’ Read How to Shoot Friends 26: For goodness sake, I am in the bin doing a monster stretch for something I didn’t do.
2012		T. Piccirilli Last Kind Words 33: All the old-timers had either kicked off, been sent to the bin, or retired.
2020		G. Krauze What They Was 86: [Y[ou’re definitly going back to court and probably going bin.