sorry, I always think of it as particularly child-orientated
although it actually stands for Not On Normal Circuit Exercise in prison.

TRUFAX
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 10:57, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

That's a backronym
like 'wog' meaning Western Oriental Gentleman, it's not true.
Variations on the word 'nonce' have been around for ages and are used in non-custodial contexts.
( WormuIus, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 11:51, Reply)

Citation Needed
EAT THIS
listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0506a&L=ads-l&D=0&P=6698
( WormuIus, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 11:53, Reply)

I like your combination of research, formal terminology and shouting

( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 11:57, Reply)

Really? How do you know that?
I also heard it was from Non-Standard Exercise Regime, which is an actual term used in the prison for the vulnerable prisoners.

EDIT: I just read your citation, so I'll give in.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 11:56, Reply)

I like how one of the Wikipedia citations for the etymology is from Archer's prison diary book
especially since he has a conviction for perjury.
( WormuIus, Fri 27 Aug 2010, 12:10, Reply)