Why are British police called 'Bobbies' (and do you ever call them Cops)?

Senior Moments

There are quite a few different slang expressions for our Police. A Bobby was a policeman, from Sir Robert Peel, Home Secretary, who established the Metropolitan Police in 1829. They were also called Peelers but this term was first used for policemen in the Irish Constabulary when Sir Robert Peel was Chief Secretary of Ireland from 1812 to 1818 May 27 02, 9:18 PM

Siskin

Name comes from Sir Robert Peel,Home Secretary, who established the Metropolitan Police in 1829.Also called Peeler. Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Answer to your second question is 'No,definitely not!' May 27 02, 9:26 PM

Son of The Household Cavalry

An extract from - http://iteslj.org/Articles/Barton-UK-USwords.html - UK policemen are unarmed.The following are used to describe policemen: bobbies, peelers, filth, cops, pigs, the old Bill (or the Bill), rozzers, coppers, a plod or perhaps 'bastards' if you are feeling lucky. I'm not sure how many of those you guys might use. Imagine you are a tea leaf (cockney rhyming slang for a thief) and you spot a car in good nick (reasonable condition) so you decide to nick (steal) it. Along comes PC (Police Constable) Plod, puts his hand on your shoulder and says 'You're nicked mate!' even though he isn't your friend and he probably isn't wielding a knife. This is your cue to say 'It's a fair cop! You got me banged to rights and make no mistake. You'll find the rest of the swag (ill-gotten gains) in the sack!' if you are stupid or 'I aint done nuffink, copper!' if you are aren't. Since you had 'been a naughty boy' you would be taken to court, and you may find yourself confronted by a 'beak' (a magistrate), who might send you down for some time 'at her Majesty's Pleasure'. You would go to gaol (or jail), or 'nick' as it is sometimes confusingly called. May 27 02, 9:29 PM

Gnomon

To expand on SotHC's answer, policemen are called 'coppers' in the UK, not 'cops'. To cop means to arrest someone. Copping is what the coppers do. A cop is an arrest. This is why the petty criminal traditionally said 'it's a fair cop, guv'! May 27 02, 10:09 PM

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