# perp walk

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The intentional public display before news cameras of a person in police custody, especially someone famous or notorious, for the purpose of satisfying public interest, demonstrating the effectiveness of the authorities, or shaming the person.

## Etymology
From perp (“perpetrator”) + walk. First use appears c. 1980. See cite below.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/perp-walk