Cops
Oct 20, 2013 10:22:43 #
Many Americans refer to the police as cops.In the UK it would most likely be coppers.
It seems to have derived from 'to cop' or seize which comes from the Latin, Cappere.
Sorry if this bores you but I am fascinated in the development of language.
It seems to have derived from 'to cop' or seize which comes from the Latin, Cappere.
Sorry if this bores you but I am fascinated in the development of language.
Oct 20, 2013 10:31:26 #
Most likely it derives from early police badges being made of copper or tin that was copper plated. A derogatory term was "dirty copper" referring to a tarnished badge ie a bad cop.
Oct 20, 2013 10:51:32 #
The term COP is actually a British term which is short for Constable On Patrol.
Oct 20, 2013 10:54:56 #
MT Shooter wrote:
The term COP is actually a British term which is short for Constable On Patrol.
Agree! :thumbup:
Oct 20, 2013 14:27:20 #
Oct 20, 2013 14:36:55 #
Bangee5 wrote:
The article seems to contradict itself. At one point it pacific ally says that COP doesn't stand for constable on patrol, but then the article ends by saying it DOES stand for that. I don't get it.
Oct 20, 2013 15:24:15 #
Well there are "experts everywhere". The truth is that many versions of where Cop comes from are most likely true. Dirty copper may come from darnished buttons and copper badges. Cop may come from Constables on patrol or citizens on patrol. Until a time machine is invented it's all food for though and argument on the forums! Oh well back to photography where no one has any opinions!
Oct 20, 2013 15:29:20 #
tschmath wrote:
The article seems to contradict itself. At one point it pacific ally says that COP doesn't stand for constable on patrol, but then the article ends by saying it DOES stand for that. I don't get it.
I think this site was just giving out what others have suggested the meaning of cop to mean as it seems to be coming from different sources. Each comment is separated by a faint gray line. Not the same person. I can not say what is fact since I have always heard that it was from the copper badge that police had. Now I see that that could be wrong. Our boys from across the pond say different. Who am I to argue?
Oct 21, 2013 13:37:25 #
viscountdriver wrote:
Many Americans refer to the police as cops.In the UK it would most likely be coppers.
It seems to have derived from 'to cop' or seize which comes from the Latin, Cappere.
Sorry if this bores you but I am fascinated in the development of language.
It seems to have derived from 'to cop' or seize which comes from the Latin, Cappere.
Sorry if this bores you but I am fascinated in the development of language.
You would probably enjoy "The Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson (if you haven't already). I enjoyed most of it, but it became a struggle to finish.
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