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Jeff_Mosawy Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

Police or Cop

Hi guys. How do you do?

I don't know what's the difference between police and cop.

So can some one tell the answer? First I thought maybe police is a Biritish word and cop is an American word, but I don't think so.

Thank you.

JM.
  

Top answer

Jeff_Mosawy I thought maybe police is a Biritish word and cop is an American word No. police is the officially correct word. cop is informal, and it used to be considered derogatory, but it's widely used now, even by the police.

— CalifJim

  • Jeff_Mosawy I thought maybe police is a Biritish word and cop is an American word No.
  • police is the officially correct word.
  • cop is informal, and it used to be considered derogatory, but it's widely used now, even by the police.
  • Even so, I don't recommend using the word cop when speaking to a policeman - and especially not the more derogatory form copper .
  • cop comes from "Chief Of Police".
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8 Answers
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Jeff_MosawyI thought maybe police is a Biritish word and cop is an American word
No. police is the officially correct word. cop is informal, and it used to be considered derogatory, but it's widely used now, even by the police. Even so, I don't recommend using the word cop when speaking to a policeman - and especially not the mor
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CalifJim
Jeff_MosawyI thought maybe police is a Biritish word and cop is an American word
No. police is the officially correct word. cop is informal, and it used to be considered derogatory, but it's widely used now, even by the police. Even so, I don't recommend using the word cop when speaking to a policeman - and especially not th
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Wow! It's wonderful. I never thought that the copword is danger Emotion: big smile

Anyway, answers were perfect. Thank you guys.
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Hi

May I respectfully disagree about the origin of the word (at least from the UK point of view..)

To "cop" something or someone means to capture it; or seize it; or take it

It is usually traced back to Latin so I'm pretty sure it predates any copper who answered to a Chief of Police

Regards to all, Dave
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Hey Dave,

That is very interesting. The only place I can think of where that usage still exists is in the expression to cop a feel. Makes good sense.

Thanks for the British perspective!
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dave_anonI'm pretty sure it predates any copper who answered to a Chief of Police
Yes, of course. Maybe the C.O.P. abbreviation is just a coincidence, but, right or wrong, I was once told that that was the origin.
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Cop is short for copper the metal. Police badges use to be made of copper, when officer would come they would say "the coppers are coming! " eventually people made it short, just cop.Its just slang that's why it was disrespectful to say to an officer, you had to speak to them with respect. That means speaking proper in the way you addressed them. Just like most people would to a judge.
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C.O.P. Stands for “constable on patrol”
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