Written for RDP, where sgeoil asks us
to get creative with the word “copper”.
Thanks, Heather! Here’s where the prompt took me.
Image from 2012 PBS/BBC series “Copper”
The word “cop” originated from the Old French caper or Latin capere, meaning “to take” or “to seize”. By the 1840s, a “copper” was the person who took or apprehended criminals. While a popular story, the term is not from the copper buttons or badges worn by early police (e.g., NYPD) …. nor the “brass knuckles” kept handy in an inside pocket …. though this likely helped popularized the term later. The acronym, Constable On Patrol, is also considered an urban legend and is not the true origin of the word. The term “copper” was particularly common in Britain before becoming widely used in the United States.
When I was a kid, we’d get in trouble
for calling a policeman “copper”.
Look what they’re called now!
NAR©2026
This is “I Shot The Sheriff” by Eric Clapton
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
How interesting!
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I thought so too! Thanks, Jodi.
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Interesting. I thought it was just sort of a slang term. I guess I didn’t realize it was actually a known term for police.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this little bit of trivia, Christine. Thanks so much.
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cool to know the origin of copper! I never knew it! X
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My great pleasure, CA! Thanks very much
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James Cagney said the word “copper” in White Heat (1949), where he played Cody Jarrett.
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Excellent clip, Jim! Cagney was the best.
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I think Willow’s covered every name imaginable, Nancy, (and my imagination was searching wildly) … I’m off to find some handy brass knuckles, I’ve been on hold with the Doctors Surgery, 15th in line. So I then ‘clicked’ call back…Sheesh!! If you don’t hear from me within a week, I’ve been nicked by the coppers!! …🎶Off to calm down listening to I shot the Sheriff🎶…💙
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15th in line?! Bless you, dear Penn; I would have opted for the callback, too. That unacceptable! I hope you didn’t get nicked! I’m confident, you will prevail! Relax……. ❤️
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Very interesting Sis…Yes indeed look what they call them nowadays…filth, pigs, feds. Our police were originally known as Peelers because of the founder being called Robert Peel..
interesting piece of history 💜💜
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I’m glad you enjoyed this, sis. Thanks. 💜
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This is interesting bit of history
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So glad you thought so, Sadje. Thank you.
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I did not know that tidbit of history! Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure!
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