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Origin of the Phrase "Cop On?"

  • 22-06-2008 07:14PM
    #1
    jeffreylebowski
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 132 ✭✭


    Hey folks,

    So far as I know this is an expression only or mainly used here in Ireland, but I've been unable to find anything about where it started.

    For instance is it related to the other uses of the word cop like "he copped a large fine for offense".

    Thanks in advance if anyone knows anything on this.


Comments

  • #2
    Talliesin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,314 ✭✭✭Talliesin


    Yes. Cop-on as a noun describing a quality someone may have (he needed to get a bit of cop-on) comes from "cop on" to acquire insight into something (I was staring at it forever before I copped on that it was upside down) which in turn comes from cop to acquire, from Scots "cap" to sieze, from Old Frence "capere" to take.

    It is indeed cognate with cop in copping a fine (again, from Old French "capere", to acquire) copping a plea, copping out and possibly with cop as in a policeman (since they arrest people) though for that last sense copper referring to British coinage or the badges used by police in New York have both been suggested.


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