meaning of copper for a policeman
"How did the term ""cop"" start to become a synonym for ""police officer""?" Based on current findings it seems that copper (a policeman, lit. 'one who arrests') predates cop (either used verbally and meaning to arrest or when a noun meaning a policeman) It may well be that the copper badges carried by New York Cityâs first police sergeants - though not the buttons worn by London 'bobbies' - play a part.