Quote:
Originally Posted by word  - "Copper" or " COP" is a favorite that has revealed different meanings and origination. First of all I am referring to "Copper" which is an old slang for American Policeman (Circa 1920). I have been told by my elders that "Copper" was referring to the copper badge that the policeman wore. Supposively, it was later shorten to just "Cop". However, I was later informed that as a runaway child from Mother England, we would naturally bring our native language with us. The England of olde policemen were known as "Constables On Patrol", thus; "C.O.P."
I cannot verify the validity of either explanation; they are intriguing, nonetheless.
I welcome any input from my brothers & sisters from across the pond (another favorite which should be self explanatory).
~word~ |
I have heard 'Constable of Patrol', but I have also read that the origin is from the verb 'cop' which meant to
arrest or
grab, which you can see in phrases like 'cop a feel', so they were coppers because they copped people. The term was used in the nineteenth century this side of the pond.
