Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

wzl46 t1_iy315rl wrote

Cop is a shortened version of copper. I read a long time ago that police had copper badges, so that is where the name originated. It could be completely wrong.

13

activ8r t1_iy367cw wrote

Kind of. I believe "cop" came first. Cop is an old word for "capture" (see common usage "that's a fair cop"). I believe "copper" would be the nickname as they are the "capturer".
Not 100% on this being the actual origin, but a quick Google search seems to corroborate it.

9

YessikZiiiq t1_iy3ay6f wrote

This is correct. The badge thing is a common myth.

4

readit2U t1_iy3r9cv wrote

I had heard it was short for an English phrase "constable on patrol "

1

piszkavas t1_iy38b1g wrote

Oh yes this is true, although copper alone is a nickname

0

Thugalug t1_iy33feg wrote

Cop is short for Constable of Police, thats where its from

−11

coredump3d t1_iy34rvj wrote

Are you sure? That sounds more like a backronym to me than an actual derivative streetword. From what i also heard, policemen used to wear copper badges or helmets (?) and the distinctive appear made them be called "cop" as a slang

5

HintOfMalice t1_iy31vd0 wrote

In Ireland and the UK, we have Bobby or Peeler to mean a Policeman. They originate from the same thing, an Prime Minister, Sir Robert (Bobby) Peel (Peeler) who set up the first modern police force in the UK, about 200 years ago.

7

Gyvon t1_iy3a8zw wrote

He wasn't a constable, he was Prime Minister

3

pdpi t1_iy3eg8z wrote

To be pedantic, he was Home Secretary at the time. He wouldn't become PM for another five years.

2

dx-azrael-xb t1_iy3b1xt wrote

Five-O came from the Hawaii Five-O TV show where the Police Logo has 50 on it for Hawaii being the 50th state.

2

Agifem t1_iy3bi37 wrote

The word "flic" in French seems to come from the German word Flick, which means young man. Apparently, it would have crossed the border as a slang word to designate German criminals.

Another theory is that it comes from the German word "Fliege", which means fly (the animal), a word used several centuries earlier to designate snitches, and, by extension, the police they were snitching to.

2

Spadaxim t1_iy3e9j7 wrote

In Brazil we have the word Tira, that also means "strip" and comes from the ribbons and medals cops would be awarded

1

PBmeup t1_iy3wr4z wrote

Are we also wondering where the nickname “pig” came from?

1

Flair_Helper t1_iy41p3w wrote

Please read this entire message

Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):

Straightforward or factual queries are not allowed on ELI5. ELI5 is meant for simplifying complex concepts.

If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this submission was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.

1

[deleted] t1_iy340pp wrote

[removed]

0

kytheon t1_iy35mpz wrote

And while alerting your buddies, COP is a lot shorter than Police Officer.

1

Frogman400 t1_iy3lnkm wrote

My father who was a cop told me that "Cop" stands for Constable on Patrol and comes from a time when cops would walk in pairs around the down town in old timey days.

0