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Why do we say “cop”? Learn the meaning of 12 law enforcement terms

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As with any other field, law enforcement has its own lingo, and each of those words has a story and an origin. Terms like cop, sheriff, or warrant didn’t just appear out of thin air; they developed from older languages, professions, and practices that shaped how justice was carried out. Here’s a look at 12 familiar law enforcement words and where they originally came from.

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The word cop comes from the verb "to cop," which meant to seize or capture in 18th-century English. Early police officers were the ones who literally "copped" criminals, making the term a natural fit.

Over time, it became a common nickname for law enforcement. Though once slang, "cop" is now widely used in both casual conversation and pop culture.

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This word comes from the Old English term scīr-gerefa, meaning "shire reeve." The sheriff was originally a royal official in charge of law and order in a county—a role dating back to medieval England.

The title traveled to America with English settlers, where sheriffs became elected figures. Today, they still serve as local justice, particularly in rural or county jurisdictions.

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The word marshal began in medieval Europe, combining German roots for "horse" and "servant." It originally referred to someone in charge of stables and horses.

Over time, the term evolved to mean a high-ranking official or commander. In the United States, the term was adopted for federal law officers, U.S. Marshals, giving the old word a new life in law enforcement.

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From the Latin term detegere, "to uncover," detective entered English in the mid-1800s. It described officers whose main role was to expose hidden truths or solve crimes.

Detectives gained cultural fame through novels and stories, from Sherlock Holmes to modern thrillers.

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Another word with ancient roots, warrant comes from Old French garant, linked to "guarantee" or "protector." It described something that gave assurance or authority.

In law, a warrant became the official document authorizing arrests or searches. Today, the word still signifies official permission.

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The word bail dates back to the Old French term baillier, meaning "to deliver or hand over." In medieval times, it meant entrusting someone to another’s care.

In courts, bail became the system of releasing a prisoner on condition that they return, usually backed by money.

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Another word with similar roots to the previous ones is jail, which comes from the Old French jaiole, meaning "cage."

As legal systems developed, jails came to refer to local facilities used for short-term custody.

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Derived from the Old French term felonie, meaning wickedness or treachery, felony described the gravest crimes in medieval law. Such acts could result in loss of property or even execution.

In modern times, the word has narrowed to refer to serious crimes such as murder or robbery. It still conveys weight and severity, reflecting its roots in the harsh punishments of earlier justice systems.

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A word often heard in police and crime series, misdemeanor comes from the Old French term demener, meaning "to conduct oneself." It originally referred to bad or improper behavior in general, not always tied to crime.

As legal codes evolved, it became the category for lesser offenses, distinct from felonies. Today, it describes small breaches of the law.

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Many legal terms come from Latin, and subpoena is one of them. It derives from the Latin phrase sub poena, meaning "under penalty"—that is, you are summoned to appear in court or face punishment.

The word remains unchanged in law today. Outside of courts, it is sometimes used figuratively, but it carries a sense of obligation backed by serious consequences.

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Alibi comes straight from Latin, meaning "elsewhere." It originally referred to proof that someone was in another location at the time of a crime, making guilt impossible.

Over time, the term entered common speech as a synonym for an excuse. Today, people often use it casually for reasons not related to the law.

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The last term on the list also derives from Latin. Convincere means "to prove guilty." Convict originally referred to the act of demonstrating guilt in a trial.

Over time, the meaning shifted to describe the individual found guilty. Today, convict commonly refers to someone serving a sentence, but its roots lie in courtroom proof of wrongdoing.

A national parade

Wave your flag high! National flags with unique elements

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A country’s flag is a visual representation of an entire nation, and a symbol that unifies all those who belong to it. While most flags are easily recognizable, they often share common elements such as colors, designs, or meanings. Consider Poland and Indonesia, or Belgium and Germany.

Although flags from the same region or countries with a shared history may have similarities, some flags are so unique that they could never be mistaken for something else. Let’s have a look at some of them!

Nepal

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This South Asian country, located between China and India, is known for being home to Mount Everest, much of the Himalayas, and as the birthplace of Buddhism. But Nepal is also known for another distinctive feature: its flag.

The Nepali flag shares its red, white, and blue colors with other Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, but its uniqueness comes from its shape, as Nepal is the only country in the world without a rectangular flag. Instead, it’s formed by two joined pennants (or triangular banners). A sun and a crescent moon symbolize the hope for the country’s longevity.

Mozambique

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Mozambique’s flag features three horizontal stripes—green, black, and gold—separated by thin white lines. On the left side, it has a red triangle. Up until now, not so different from many other flags. However, the red triangle contains several symbols: a yellow five-pointed star, a book, and, crossing over them, a gun (specifically an AK-47) and a hoe.

Each of these symbols has a particular meaning: the star symbolizes the country’s solidarity with the world, the book represents education, the hoe, agriculture, and the gun, the nation’s defence. However, some political parties have pushed for the gun to be removed as a symbol.

Kiribati

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The Republic of Kiribati is a small island nation located in the Micronesia region. Composed of a series of atolls and one coral island, it lies where the equator meets the 180th meridian, placing it across the northern, southern, eastern, and western hemispheres.

Kiribati’s flag features several national symbols: the upper half is red, and it showcases a golden bird—a symbol of freedom and mastery of the sea—flying over a rising sun. The lower half is blue with three wavy white stripes, representing the Pacific Ocean and the country’s main archipelagos, while the 17 rays of the sun represent Kiribati’s 17 islands.

Wales

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The flag of Wales stands out from other European flags because of its prominent dragon. It is also one of only three national flags to feature this mythical creature, the other two being Malta and Bhutan. The Y Ddraig Goch (red dragon) is depicted in a passant attitude—heraldic terminology for "striding with a raised paw"—over a green and white background, colors associated with the House of Tudor.

Where does the dragon come from? The Welsh have always used the dragon as a symbol for their leaders, and a red dragon defeating the enemies of Wales appears in many tales. The dragon is also linked to the Arthurian legend and the prophecy of King Arthur’s return to restore the island to the Celtic Britons.

Dominica

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Purple is a color present in very few national flags (four, to be precise), and Dominica’s flag uses it in the most evident way. This Caribbean nation’s banner has a green field crossed by a vertical and a horizontal band, each featuring yellow, black, and white stripes.

At the center, a red circle displays a Sisserou parrot surrounded by ten green stars. The Sisserou parrot, Dominica’s national bird, has dark purple feathers on its chest and head, which are represented on the flag. This species is found only on the island and is considered critically endangered.

Guyana

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Known as the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana’s flag stands out from other South American banners for its use of triangular shapes—one at the hoist and one extending across the flag—an element more commonly seen in Caribbean and Central American flags (e.g., Cuba, Saint Lucia, Jamaica).

The colors of Guyana’s flag are deeply symbolic: red, gold, green, black, and white represent zeal, mineral wealth, agriculture, endurance, and the rivers that give the country its name, as Guyana means "land of many waters."

Bhutan

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One of only three national flags featuring a dragon, Bhutan’s banner has a meaning closely tied to the country’s name. In the Dzongkha language, Bhutan is called Druk Yul, meaning "The Thunder Dragon Kingdom," a title also bestowed upon its monarch, the Dragon King.

Bhutan’s flag is divided diagonally into two fields, one yellow and one orange, symbolizing the civil authority of the king and the country's Buddhist heritage. Over the dividing line, the white dragon (a symbol of purity) stretches across both fields, emphasizing the equal importance of civil and religious matters. The dragon holds jewels that represent the nation’s wealth and security, and its snarling mouth signifies the defense of the country by its deities.

Eswatini and Kenya

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The Kingdom of Eswatini and the Republic of Kenya are two distinct nations, so they naturally have different national flags. However, they share one notable feature: both flags display a traditional shield at the center.

Eswatini’s flag has three blue and red bands, separated by yellow strips. In the center, two spears are covered by a sideways Nguni shield, traditionally made from ox skin and reinforced with a staff. On the other hand, Kenya’s flag is divided into three bands of black, red, and green, separated by white stripes. A Masai shield over two crossed spears at its center represents the defense of the country and its traditions.

Papua New Guinea

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The flag of this Melanesian country contains several symbolic elements representing its people. It’s diagonally divided into red and black fields, two colors that Papua New Guinea tribes have used traditionally. On the lower black triangle, five white stars form the Southern Cross, one of the most important constellations in the Southern hemisphere.

The upper red triangle showcases the national bird, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise, in yellow. Fun fact: Papua New Guinea’s flag was designed through a national contest, and the winning entry was submitted by a 15-year-old girl.

Cyprus

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This island’s flag has a unique element: it features the shape of the country at its center. The only other national flag to do this is Kosovo’s flag, though Kosovo is not recognized as a sovereign state by all countries.

Intended to represent the harmony between Cypriots of Greek and Turkish descent, the flag’s creators intentionally avoided colors and symbols associated with either group, opting instead for a white background with the island’s silhouette in copper over two green olive branches.