does anybody know
why the cops are referred to as "the old bill"?
( VampireMonkeyOnSpeed sensible shirt, tie, neatly combed hair etc, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 14:55, archived)

No but
i do know that my great great great great great great grandfather, Sir Robert Peel, invented the police, hence the name "Bobbies"
( 100% Cock I believe that Gorgonzola is the best cheese., Wed 3 Mar 2004, 14:56, archived)

the full explanation is here
www.quinion.com/words/qa/qa-bil1.htm
( Enigmatic ™                 Voice No More                  ©, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:02, archived)

explains why in ireland in the 19th century
we called em peelers
( WhoElse I'm what Willis was talking about, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:12, archived)

you must die copper decendant!!!
:7
( Sixola, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:13, archived)

Or why they are called "cops"?
Or "rozzers"?
Or anything other than "Members of Her Majesty's Constabulary"? Actually, nevermind, the government will probably do away with any references to the crown...

Hehe, "members"!
( monster munch probably your elder, almost certainly your better, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 14:58, archived)

cops short for coppers
from the latin "capper" (or is it "cappre") meaning "to capture"

Rozzer, from Robert (metropolitan police force founded by robert peel) in the same way that baz comes from barry or barney and whatnot
( VampireMonkeyOnSpeed sensible shirt, tie, neatly combed hair etc, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:02, archived)

go to quinion.com - every term is explained there
(see above)
( Enigmatic ™                 Voice No More                  ©, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:03, archived)

I'm rather impressed by all this.
Well done, all of you.
( monster munch probably your elder, almost certainly your better, Wed 3 Mar 2004, 15:04, archived)