Cop
(A). A policeman.
Cop
(A). A copperhead (q.v.).
Cop
To throw, as cop it here. The word properly means to beat
or strike, as to cop a shuttlecock or ball with a bat. (Greek,
copto, to beat); but in Norfolk it means to “hull” or throw.
Cop
(To). To catch [a fever, etc.]. To “get copped” is to
get caught by the police. (Latin, capere, to take, etc.) A
similar change of a into o is in cotched (caught).
They thought I was sleepin', ye know,
And they sed as I'd copped it o' Jim;
Well, it come like a bit of a blow,
For I watched by the deathbed of him.
Sims: Dagonet Ballads (The Last Letter).
“ `I shall cut this to-morrow, ...” said the younger man. “ `You'll be
copped, then,' replied the other.”
—T. Terrell: Lady Delmar.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Cop from Infoplease:
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