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Then what is the correct answer rule (lemmy.blahaj.zone)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

i really want this to be the correct etymological origin of the word cop

[–] [email protected] 6 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I have heard it's because their badges were copper and got shortened to cop. I have no proof.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

Neat! Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Archaic? I think we use this word in modern English, as in, "to cop a feel."

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

cop as in a feel i think has a different meaning as to cop a criminal.