I don't mean what are the psychological reasons, but how did the word "cop" come to mean police man? The two words don't sound related.
2007-04-02 21:13:56 · 9 answers · asked by JudasHero 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
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.
2007-04-02 21:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by nowhere girl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if u rearrange the letters in the word police, we could get 2 separate word which is, cop and lie..the word cops is frequently used in USA..so,according to the history,u.s.a cops..always lie...ha ha!!
2007-04-02 21:34:41 · answer #2 · answered by hijau_rambut 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
At one time their badges were made of copper. They were called coppers. Over time the cops has stuck.
2007-04-02 21:24:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the ancient meaning of cop is to catch hold or to seize. and police seize the criminals so they are called cops
2007-04-02 21:19:23 · answer #4 · answered by luckymole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Citizens
On
Patrol
2007-04-02 21:22:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
some hobo told me once but I didnt listen I just call them bobbies because bobby brownshit or something started the police stuff in england
2007-04-02 21:18:09 · answer #6 · answered by i like tacobell 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
British officer - Constable, would patrol his territory.
COP - Constable On Patrol
2007-04-02 21:17:30 · answer #7 · answered by Norak D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think because their badges used to be made of copper.
2007-04-02 21:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by Jenny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cause they don't like being called snitches. Bless.
2007-04-02 21:17:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋