where did this word originate from?
2006-09-29 07:35:02 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
constable on patrol
2006-09-29 07:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've heard two explanations. One is that "cop" is an acronym for "Constable On Patrol". The other is that "cop" is a diminutive or derivation of "copper", an allusion to the copper buttons which used to adorn police officers' uniforms.
2006-09-29 17:50:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Around the year 1700, the slang verb cop entered English usage, meaning "to get ahold of, catch, capture." By 1844, cop showed up in print, and soon thereafter the -er suffix was added, and a policeman became a copper, one who cops or catches and arrests criminals. Copper first appeared in print in 1846, the use of cop as a short form copper occured in 1859.
By the way, the word "cop" as "to get ahold of" is still used in various subcultures. The drug culture still has people trying to "cop" a fix, and, of course, in teen culture, going to "2nd base" with a girl is very similar to trying to "cop" a feel.
2006-09-29 14:44:21 · answer #3 · answered by Rico Toasterman JPA 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Police in the old days wore copper badges, hence cop. Short for copper. In old James Cagney movies they were still called coppers.
2006-09-29 14:40:38 · answer #4 · answered by FreeWilly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
control officer of peace just a guess
2006-09-29 16:10:24 · answer #5 · answered by biff 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
constable on patrol
2006-09-29 14:43:15 · answer #6 · answered by rd22 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋