"The Filth"
 

A month or two ago, I was coming back from lunch and there were a few VPD officers around the block where I work. 'Wonder what the filth are doing' I remarked to the people I was with, to which they seemed nonplussed until I explained that 'the filth' was actually slang for the police in the UK. I think they were moderately shocked by this and found it a little offensive. I guess it is a little bit offensive when you think about it but this didn't stop those same people using the phrase on occasion since.

Anyway, I know there are a few coppers that post on here (rae, dboy), and so was wondering what the Canadian equivalent is? I hope it's not pigs, cos that's lame.

Re: "The Filth"
 

I hope its not mounties, cos that even lamer!

Canadians have too much respect for authority to veer too far from "Cops" I suspect.

Re: "The Filth"
 

i think this description and level of animosity for not particular reason other than it may be 'cool' in some quarters does not exist here. po po, cops, pigs occasionally, thats about it.

Re: "The Filth"
 

For sure, I confess that I started using it for it's shock value back in my early twenties. Unfortunately (or not depending on your pov) I'm now stuck with it and it's the first thing I think of when I see the police. But, like what happens when you swear all the time, the word loses a certain amount of it's power eventually.

Edit to add: And what is po po?

Re: "The Filth"
 

The BBC has a shot of a UK soccer ground with a line of yellow separating the fans:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...07937485-1.jpg

I've seen a few people led away for rowdiness at hockey & lacrosse games ... but it's usually by two cops - never seen the need for an army of them yet.

Cop or even "police officer" seem to be the generic terms ...

Re: "The Filth"
 

and now you are using fershore! there is no helping you.

language can be powerful, these kinds of derogatory remarks/insults never bothered me too much, its a part of the job and you learn to accept it. however, there is a time and a place where quite rightly it should not be tolerated. if this kind of remark was thrown in my direction at a large family orientated event for instance, i should imagine there would be a certain expectation that i address it. ironically these very same people that may expect this, the respectable middle class, were often the worse for it. i always got far more respect from a thief than i did a speeding motorist in his BMW.

Re: "The Filth"
 

sorry saw the po po thing late. seems to be white wannabe gangsta and a native term mainly for the cops.

Re: "The Filth"
 

thats probably because of several things. 1. there is a real likelihood they will be shot or tasered indiscriminately if they do not comply, and they know they will have no recourse if this does happen. 2. there is only ever one or two of them, not hundreds if not thousands. 3. they are generally decent people who have got a bit carried away, not out and out hooligans intent on doing nothing but fight as they have been doing for the past 20yrs.

comparing hockey and lacrosse games with premiership football regarding trouble is like comparing two 89yr olds shagging to two 20yr olds. not much is going on in the first instance, and if it does its going to be slow, laborious and no one will want to watch it. compared to the other scenario where it will be fast, furious and with a crowd who all want to get involved.

Re: "The Filth"
 

I've never really dealt with the police and am far too cowardly to call them the filth to their faces. Though I might use it as banter with people I knew - a bit like, "rae's in the filth, why don't you ask him if you can shoot bears legally"

I know when I use it it's an affectation designed to shock the people I'm with (to this day my parents are appalled). Just that sometimes I now say it in polite company by accident... oops!

Re: "The Filth"
 

i doubt anyone will be really arsed, you may have started something though! i'll let you know if it gets this far east. no one has called me dibble, 5-o or the feds yet. salford shite was far cooler.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Certainly sums up soccer for me :p

Re: "The Filth"
 

The only people I have ever heard using this expression were wannabe gangstas in the UK :rolleyes:

Re: "The Filth"
 

I know nobody is really arsed - it's a bit like saying twat to a nun.

I don't think it will catch on here anyways - there is (as you say) something quite british about it. dibble though - hmmm; 'yes darling, i know we're late, but dibble here is giving me a ticket instead of catching real criminals' - it could catch on;)

Re: "The Filth"
 

You know many of those do you - or do you really mean that you've seen Ali G on TV?

Re: "The Filth"
 

I wouldnt claim to "know" them but I have certainly met them.

Re: "The Filth"
 

I usually use the classic; the fuzz.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Fair enough - I don't know any.

Re: "The Filth"
 

In England, it was just the OB.

Re: "The Filth"
 

OB? What's that? Am I going to kick myself when you tell me:p

Edit: Hahaha - yes, don't bother answering. D'oh!

Re: "The Filth"
 

Old Bill

Re: "The Filth"
 

Yes - was just a bit slow getting there.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Having a senior moment there love??

Re: "The Filth"
 

They were always Peelers or Rozzers when I was a kid.

Re: "The Filth"
 

these and the filth and old bill seem to be pretty much southern terms, i've some friends i work with from the met and that is how they refer to themselves in war stories and the like. never really heard northern officers/customers use rozzer, OB or the filth.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Oddly my OH has an a very endearing term for Calgary Police engaged in a particular Activity. That term is Bastards, karma for the first person who guess the activity.

One of UK friends has a much better term for the Majority of Calgary Police (and quite a few other Calgary Residents actually):- Fat Forkers ;)

Re: "The Filth"
 

laser speed enforcement?

Re: "The Filth"
 

Close enough :thumbup:

Re: "The Filth"
 

close? just speed traps in general then?

Re: "The Filth"
 

Exactly, Hiding up trees is the best I've seen them do

Re: "The Filth"
 

The filth was a bit too 1970s Bermondsey gangster. OB was way more common, that and the 'Charlies', rhymes with Charlie Briggs, etc, but then I lived down safff.

Re: "The Filth"
 

I have to admit when my oldest daughter was 15 or so - her and her wannabe gangster buddies would refer to them as "the feds"! :rolleyes:

Re: "The Filth"
 

On TV, I think I heard it first on 'The Bill'. But having watched the sweeney recently, it is definitely of 70's vintage.

Re: "The Filth"
 

yes definitely a white wannabe term, never heard it used apart from dealing with drunken teens from decent backgrounds.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Butch, apart from your OH, who is obviously innocent:rolleyes:, IMO If you get caught in a speed trap in the city you deserve it!;)

There's certain fishing holes that the police always use. You rarely get caught by a patrol car.

It's not worth speeding in the city either. All you do is get to the next traffic light more quickly and have to wait longer.

Now on my bike outside the city........

hehehe!:rofl:

Re: "The Filth"
 

never heard of 'charlies'

sweeney = "I'VE NOT HAD MY BREAKFAST" classic, never managed to fit it in though.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Radar traps, or quite possibly multinova radar ticket in the mail stuff.

Re: "The Filth"
 

Yeah I came out with it the other day to my own surprise, "Lot of filth around today" I think it came from the Sweeney :lol:

Re: "The Filth"
 

did you hear the news recently in Edmonton that due to obvious financial restraints at the moment the police are potentially facing a severe budget shortfall. to combat this some brightspark has proposed more budget for more laser traps and give the increased revenue to the cops.

i know north americans don't get irony, but come on, giving the cops more money to catch people so they can have more money to catch people. COME ON!!!

Re: "The Filth"
 

Being a copper in the 70's must have been awesome if it was anything like the sweeney.

Edit: ffs - that's the second ism i've used on this thread - must get a grip!

Re: "The Filth"
 

LOL, even when she gets caught, its MY fault somehow. (Even when I'm not in the car :confused:).