«Peelers», «Bobbies» и другой сленг, который заменит слово «Policeman»

Если вы из тех людей, кто любит смотреть британские сериалы или же вы планируете посетить туманный Альбион, то эта статья Джона точно будет для вас полезной. Сегодня он познакомит нас с 12 популярными сленговыми словами, которые помогут обратиться к полицейскому, не расстроив его, и, следовательно, не почувствовав на себе длинную руку закона.

In England there are a number of names for the police, some polite, some not so polite. You need to be aware of them if you are going to watch British films or TV shows.

The Police force, as we would recognize it, did not exist before 1829. The then Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police force to enforce the law in the Greater London area. Two of the terms by which the police are known came from his name. Peelers and Bobbies. Bob is a diminutive of Robert. Peelers, though little used today, is widely understood but the term Bobby is still very current. One often hears of people demanding to see more Bobbies on the beat (policemen patrolling the streets). 

The derogatory terms pigs and filth are self-explanatory. Fuzz originated in the USA and was widely used in the 60s in the UK and has had a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Probably assisted by the comedy film “Hot Fuzz”.

Plod, though far less offensive is still mildly insulting to the police. Mr Plod was the policeman in the children’s story, “Noddy and Big Ears”. Also lifted from a children’s TV programme is the name Dibble. The programme was “Top cat”, and the cartoon policeman who was constantly outwitted by Top cat was Officer Dibble. This name is mainly used in Manchester.

In nearby Liverpool Bizzies is the preferred gentle insult. From the phrase “the police are always too busy to help you”. In London the police are sometimes referred to as Rozzers.

Non offensive, and widely used, often by the police themselves, are the terms Cop or Copper and Boys in Blue. The latter refers to the colour of the uniform. Cop, in England at least, is an old fashioned way of saying apprehend. In the USA it apparently refers to the metal used I the manufacture of police cap badges.

Now you will be able to better understand the latest British cop show. Also should you ever be in England you will know how to address a policeman without upsetting him and consequently avoid feeling the long arm of the law.