Old Bill

English

Etymology

Unknown. Suggested sources for the police officer and police force terms include:

  1. Old Bill, comic character created by Bruce Bairnsfather.
  2. Music hall song "Won't you come home, Bill Bailey", which references the Old Bailey criminal court.
  3. William IV (reigned 1830-37), who became king the year after the Metropolitan Police were founded (1829).
  4. Wilhelm I, Prussian Kaiser who visited the UK around the same time the custodian helmet was adopted (1863).
  5. bill (“cutting instrument”) or billhook, weapons carried by constables of the watch.
  6. bill (“written note of services rendered”), allegedly presented by a police officer to solicit a bribe.
  7. bill (“draft of a law”), laid in Parliament.
  8. Number plates for all public services, including police, registered by London County Council with the letter "BYL".
    1. Specifically, the cars of the Flying Squad.
  9. Bill Smith, a popular police sergeant in Limehouse circa 1860s.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

the Old Bill

  1. (British, slang, law enforcement) A police officer.
    Synonyms: bobby, PC Plod, rozzer; see also Thesaurus:police officer
  2. (British slang, frequently with the) The police force.
    Synonyms: Bill, esclop, plod; see also Thesaurus:police
  3. (British slang, dated) A soldier, especially one who resembles the cartoon character of the same name created by Bruce Bairnsfather in 1914.
    Synonyms: squaddie, sweat, Tommy; see also Thesaurus:soldier

Further reading

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