prisoner's dilemma 

two criminals were just caught robbing a bank. both are in prison, being questioned by police.
during the interrogations, each prisoner is offered the choice to rat on the other. if neither rats the other out, they will both be set free. if one rats the other out, the rat goes free and the one he ratted out will get a long sentence. if both rat each other out, they'll both receive a light sentence.
the prisoner's dilemma is: rat the other out? or stay silent, and hope he doesn't turn witness against you?
the logical act is to rat, even though, if nobody ratted anyone out, everyone would benefit. the individual rational act leads to a group irrational behavior.

the prisoner's dilemma can be seen in daily life.
every winter, the city of chicago gets lots of snow. the city doesn't bother plowing side streets. so residents dig out their own cars. people put lawn chairs and egg crates in "their" spots after they pull out, trying to mark the public street as their private spot, since they dug it out.
the greater common good of public parking is harmed by individuals who don't work to get their streets plowed, instead turning against each other and settling for crappy dug out spots. surrounded by mud. yuck.

the prisoner's dilemma: mark the spot i dug out with egg crates? or leave it unmarked, and risk coming back to someone else's car in "my" spot? (or even worse, someone else's god damn egg crates! and this does happen.)

to work for the common good? or try to accomplish individual goals?

prisoner's dilemma by danagram February 21, 2009

Prisoner's Dick 

Something that is so hard or uncomfortable, that it hurts.

"Man, my bed is so uncomfortable, I woke up this morning, and my neck was as stiff as a prisoner's dick"

Prisoner's Dick by LacklustreShine November 7, 2007

prisoner's dilemma 

The uncomfortable but ultimate acceptance of another dude farting at a the urinal while you're in the bathroom. You can't claim that it's an inappropriate place to fart, so you just gotta deal with it.

I was faced with the prisoner's dilemma right before my big interview at the company's headquarters.

prisoner's dilemma by Ae5Ea8 May 19, 2016

the prisoner’s dilemma 

When a person has been arrested and during their interrogation is wondering what to say based on their awareness of what the other witnesses may be saying.

So as Ambassador Gordon Sondland got some distance from his statements made weeks ago under oath, he began to experience the true depth and extent of the prisoner’s dilemma which of course led him to finally correct his testimony.

the prisoner’s dilemma by Dr Bunnygirl November 5, 2019

Jack Cannon’s ‘Prisoneer’

One of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of our time. This film is the pinnacle of filmmaking and the cinematography is reportedly immaculate. ‘Prisoneer’ is a story of hope, perseverance, and hardships. It encapsulates producer Jack Cannon’s and co-producer Don Toliver’s true moviemaking abilities as a whole. ‘Prisoneer’ is one of the highest grossing films of all time, even winning 6 Oscar’s and many FOTY and MPOTY awards.

Jack Cannon’s ‘Prisoneer’ is absolutely perfect.

Jack Cannon’s ‘Prisoneer’ by Vincenzo Rotoli November 8, 2025

Social Prisoner 

A sincere, friendly prisoner who utilizes the time while incarcerated to develop and maintain positive and meaningful friendships.

A social prisoner establishes and maintains healthy friendships inside prison as well as outside. Often, social prisoners also make use of the time to learn skills and seek an education.

Social Prisoner by Lexicon reader November 4, 2011

Shower prisoner 

Trapping your shower partner by blocking the shower door after expelling a death fart.

I was often a shower prisoner after she farted and blocked the shower door.

Shower prisoner by Buck naked May 29, 2017