I've always been just a little put off Lily Allen since a line in one of her songs "The filth took away my licence". The fact that the lyrics to the whole song are quite clever and witty is not the point ....

I don't like "The Filth" and I do find it derogatory. It's not the worst that people come out with though, and my poor delicate sensibilities could take worse

Butch - I've seen those laser guys sneak around too - what's wrong with just being visible and making everyone slam on their anchors like the rest of the world?! Bastards

i hate the word filth ( not a cop or married to one) i think its rude and unnessasary, but then id never say tw4t to a nun either.
im not anti swearing but i tend to think most of the time the cops only come into your world if they have to either cos you are being naughty or because you need their help. the only incidents i have had with uk cops were when someone stole dh's wallet out of his car ( i know silly man leaving it in there on view overnight) and came back next day dressed in a suit claiming to be a DCI investegating an organised crime ring in our street, he noticed the break in (before we did) and wanted to contact our banks, could he have account numbers and so they could cancel the cards, pin numbers. i made as if i was going to get the numbers but called 999, he saw the phone and legged it but not before i had a snap on my mobile the real cops were there in less than a minute - apparently impersonating a police officer is not something the real cops like. they cought the guy before he had a chance to use any of dh's cards. I know people are wrongly accused, and convicted of things all the time but personally id rather not alienate the one group of people i might need to turn tofor help.

I've just found this thread, I agree that I find "the filth" very derogatory and unnecessary. It smacks of ignorance to be honest.

It is, but I doubt it would bother many cops....I have (in my day) been called far worse...a view I am sure that would be shared by both serving and former cops! However in general terms, we were usually referred to as 'Rapolis'. Or on the police being seen to come into view....'Erzrapolis'
( Polis = West of Scotland speak for police)

Lots of people hold the view that swearing and slang 'smacks of ignorance' - i've no idea why people say that. Why does it? What are people ignorant of?

Better vocabulary perhaps?

I would disagree. Everyone knows the *proper* words.

When and where it's appropriate, perhaps?

That I can accept. Although, anything that offends middle class sensibilities is appropriate. Yes, it's petty and pointlessly reactionary, but I just can't help it.

Because, unless you are 8 years old and have known no different, then it is a conscious decision to use insulting language. Ignorant as in "know what effect you might have but couldn't give a shit anyway" ignorant

Got in a bit late. Not much to add, as rae says, cops, five o or po po. Don;t think I've been called a pig, although a guy one time thought it was funny to send over a plate of pork sausages at a IHOP one morning ( i was more angry at the server than him). He didn't think it was funny when we nicked him for impaired when he left an hour or so later!

Had another guy who thought it was funny to tease everything Australian - didn't have the heart to tell him I was British!

I don't really care, sticks and stones and all that. I find overall that the vast majority are generally respectful, with some notable exceptions of course.

I am surprised at po po. That just sounds gay - not the edgy slang you'd expect from gangsters at all.

It's been many a year since I was on foot patrol back in Blighty but I do remember once when I was showing a young cadet round my patch, a bunch of yobs walked past and shouted out "Look, it's a pig and a piglet". I thought it was quite funny really and reminded them of it when they were next in the cells...

I don't think its actually meant to be offensive - bit like bobbies.