le
/flik/
Translation
cop
Word origin
A 19th-century slang term for a policeman of uncertain origin. It is most often linked to the German Fliege ('fly') used in old criminal argot for a police informer, possibly via Yiddish; the connection remains debated.
- Origin
- uncertain
Other proposed origins
- Often derived from German Fliege ('fly'), a slang term for a police spy, perhaps through Yiddish. (Fliege)
- Some accounts treat it as a purely French argot coinage of obscure formation.
Grammar
Examples
.
The cops turned up in under five minutes.
.
My neighbour has been a cop for fifteen years.
.
There were cops everywhere in the street.
l' .
A plain-clothes cop was watching the entrance to the building.
.
The cops arrived too late at the scene.
Where this fits
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flic: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "flic" (cop): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 10.