Date: Fri, 14 Nov 1997 22:36:21 -0600

From: "Donald M. Lance" engdl[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SHOWME.MISSOURI.EDU

Subject: Re: For the Love of Mike; Let's Go!; Cop; The Jinx



COP



Evan Morris's Sunday Daily News column explained "Cop." I like the

little poem in this explanation, from the Philadelphia Inquirer, Everybody's

Column, 19 February 1905, pg. 8, col. 7:



A "COP" (C. B. L.).--"Please tell me in Everybody's Column how the word

"cop" came to be applied to the policemen.



There has been a favorite rhyme among English schoolboys for generations

past which says:

"He that cops what isn't his'n,

Will be copped and put to prison."

This verb "to cop," you see, is an old-timer, meaning "to take," "to

catch," "to capture;" naturally enough a "copper" is a "catcher" (a

policeman); and (although none of our dictionaries says so) "cop" seems to us

to be nothing more than a free-and-easy popular abbreviation of "copper."



.........................



I wonder if "to cop a plea" is related to the 'take' use of 'cop'. Barry,

have you traced this one? I suppose I oughta look in my reference books

before posting this question, but I'm running out of spare time tonight.