this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2024
249 points (100.0% liked)
196
16276 readers
46 users here now
Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.
Rule: You must post before you leave.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
i really want this to be the correct etymological origin of the word cop
I have heard it's because their badges were copper and got shortened to cop. I have no proof.
It is short for copper, but not the metal.
"To cop" means "to arrest or detain" someone. So a "copper" is someone who cops people.
You may be familiar with the phrase "that's a fair cop". Which would be an admission that the arrest is fair.
Neat! Thanks!
i read that it's from the archaic verb "cop" which means "to seize", so the old brits used to call them coppers, then that got shortened to cop, and it's still in use today.
Archaic? I think we use this word in modern English, as in, "to cop a feel."
cop as in a feel i think has a different meaning as to cop a criminal.