|
|
Why in the United States is a police officer called a 'cop?'
Question
#38983. Asked by Hamlet..
|
lothruin
|
The term is actually English. It is related to the term "cop" as in to snatch, grab or catch. A copper was one who copped. "Copper" with reference to police was originally used in a derogatory sense, usually by criminals as a form of abuse, and its use was even made illegal in England.
The first documented use of "copper" for police was in 1846, and the shortened form of "cop" showed up in 1859.
As late as the 1950's in the US, it was still considered a derogatory slang term, but in fairly recent years, it has lost that meaning.
|
mancandy
|
[Cf. COP v.3 and COPPER4.]
A policeman. cops and robbers (orig. U.S.): a children's game in which ‘police’ hunt ‘robbers’; also (? nonce-use) cops and thieves and transf.
1859 MATSELL Rogue's Lex. 124 (Farmer) Oh! where will be..all the cops and beaks so knowin' A hundred stretches hence? 1867 F. H. LUDLOW Brace of Boys 262 What's a cop?.. That's what the boys call a policeman. 1884 Breadwinners 212 ‘Who's afraid of half-a-dozen cops’, said a burly ruffian. 1903 Independent (U.S.) 15 Jan. 146/1 When I was a youngster one of my favorite games was what we children called ‘Cops and Thieves’. 1938 ‘E. QUEEN’ Four of Hearts (1939) xi. 119 They're going down to the Horseshoe Club to play cops and robbers with Alessandro. 1954 KOESTLER Invis. Writing xx. 225 The sensation of participating in an exciting cops-and-robbers game. 1957 MANVELL & HUNTLEY Film Music ii. 35 The villains are rounded up and hustled into a nearby police station, accompanied by a light musical parody in the ‘cops and robbers’ style of the silent film. 1959 J. O'DONOVAN Visited xxxi. 201 He..was momentarily ashamed of himself, as if he had been caught playing cops and robbers.
|
Create a Free
FunTrivia ID to add
to,
request more/new answers, or
edit this entry
Other Similar Questions & Answers
Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online
 |
United States
|
A quiz to see how well you know American trivia. There are a lot of answers you should know but may not.
|
|
Mixed USA
|
Tough
20 Q
|
flashback124
Mar 11 00
14022 plays
|
 |
United States
|
Each anagram is the name of a state or capital of the U.S.A. Words in all capital letters are part of the anagram. Have fun!
|
|
Anagrams
|
Average
20 Q
|
rebapitt
Aug 01 06
1428 plays
|
 |
Mushrooms of the United States
|
A tough quiz on wild mushrooms of the United States.
|
|
Mycology
|
Very Difficult
10 Q
|
crisw
Feb 19 00
1146 plays
|
|
"Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by
FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated
response
if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please
thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our
website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.
|