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I dont even know how to spell it.
The term used for Policeman. Is it just straight - copper?? I think so.
The histroy of that word is this.
Back in the 1800's, Britain, the Bobby's (police-man) had copper buttons on their jacket. Hence, the nickname - copper.
The term used for Policeman. Is it just straight - copper?? I think so.
The histroy of that word is this.
Back in the 1800's, Britain, the Bobby's (police-man) had copper buttons on their jacket. Hence, the nickname - copper.
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Cop-per
Tue, July 19, 2005 - 10:51 AMyou have the spelling right. as to the origin of copper & cop for police officer...i just don't know! i've heard conflicting stories. one says it's because they used to wear copper badges. another says that cop is an acronym standing for "constable on patrol". -
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Re: Cop-per
Tue, July 19, 2005 - 1:53 PMWho knows. We need a british linguist historian here.
Its still so interesting.
When I heard that it totally got my mind racing about word definitions that we have and how they came about. Its probably some really good, mild and not thought intensive - reading.
Anyone know of any books? -
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Re: Cop-per
Thu, July 21, 2005 - 6:33 PMI'm sure this is superfluous, but anyone don't have...www.etymonline.com/ - surely a brief but handy tool
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Unsu...
Re: Cop-per
Tue, July 19, 2005 - 1:57 PMI learned about this in a class about the history of English, and you're right David. Copper from the buttons. The spelling developed into copper by following patterns like batter, hitter, fibber, ect...
