They had copper buttons on their uniforms.
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While it's entirely possible that policemen had copper buttons, or badges, the term may well come from the slang term to catch, or "to cop."
Added: Another theory is that the term derives from the duty rosters kept at the police station houses. When an officer went out on his "beat" the letters
"C.O.P." (meaning 'Constable On Patrol') was written next to their names.
The term "cop" meaning a policaman derives from the fact that some police in the US used badges made of copper. Those police were then called "coppers" and that was shortened to "cop."
The element known as "copper" has the same name as an old-fashioned nickname for a police officer. The term "copper" originated from the use of copper buttons in the uniforms of early police officers.
A lot of coins are made of copper, thus the term.
Policemen are sometimes called "coppers" due to the historic use of copper buttons on police uniforms. The term likely originated in the 19th century in the UK and has since become a colloquial slang term for police officers.
No, it comes from uniformed policeman of generations ago, who usually wore coats festooned with a double row of buttons, which were commonly copper. They quicly picked up the street nickname "coppers", shortened to "cops".
to in term keep the peace where he or she lives and make sure those who do bad come to justice
they are made of Copper, bronze and brass
In the 1900's the buttons on certain police uniforms were made of copper, thus they got the nickname coppers
Many theories exist as to the derivation of the word "cop", or "copper." However, unlike the term "Bobby" applied to the Metropolitan Police of London, I seriously doubt that any record exists of which individual department was first referred to by the slang term "cops."
Police.
A Gypsy slang term for police officer is ''musker." It usually is meant to be a derogatory term.
A Copper is a term used for a penny because pennies were made out of Copper