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

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] Peppycito 6 points 7 months ago (2 children)

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

[–] activ8r 10 points 7 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.

[–] Peppycito 1 points 7 months ago

Neat! Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 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 7 months ago (1 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

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