Why are police called 12?

Police are called "12" primarily from the old police code "10-12", meaning "visitors present" or caution, which criminals adopted as slang to warn others police were near, with further influence from the TV show Adam-12, making "12" a quick, discreet way to say cops are around, especially in rap and street culture.

Why do they call the cops 12?

People call cops "12" due to a mix of police radio codes, like 10-12 (bystanders present), and pop culture, particularly the 1968 TV show *** Adam-12***, which featured a patrol car with that call sign, making "12" a quick slang term for law enforcement, especially in hip-hop and street culture, as noted in this PoliceOfc.com article and this Mental Floss article. 

What does police code 12 mean?

"12" is slang for the police, originating from the police radio code "10-12," meaning "visitors present" or "be on alert," signaling caution for officers due to civilians nearby, which then became shorthand for the police themselves, often used as a warning. Another theory points to the 1968 TV show Adam-12, following LAPD unit "1-Adam-12," popularizing the number for patrol cars. 

What is the hood meaning of 12?

In "the hood" (urban slang for a neighborhood, often referring to inner-city or marginalized communities), "12" is slang for the police or law enforcement, used as a warning or derogatory term, stemming from the TV show Adam-12 or possibly police radio codes, to alert people that cops are nearby. 

Why are police called 50?

Police are called "5-0" (pronounced "five-oh") because of the popular 1968-1980 TV show Hawaii Five-O, named for Hawaii being the 50th state, which led to the term becoming general slang for police in America, even though Hawaii didn't have a state police force at the time.
 

Why Cops Called 12? [Decoding the Meaning Behind The Term 12]

What is a 49 in police lingo?

It's an investigation report . The full code is 75-49 but it's shortened to 49 colloquially.

Why do cops call an ambulance a bus?

Cops call ambulances a "bus" primarily as NYC slang, shortening "ambulance" for speed, with origins possibly from the same company building both city buses and early NYC ambulances, or from the idea of it being a large vehicle for transporting many people, though it's mostly a regionalism (East Coast) used in TV shows like Law & Order. Other common slang terms for ambulances include "rig," "unit," "truck," or "medic". 

What does 12 mean in black slang?

The slang term "12" to refer to police officers or the police is believed to originate from the television show "Adam-12". The show featured two LAPD officers and their patrol car, which was also referred to as "Adam-12", thus leading to the slang term "12" to describe police.

What does 86 mean in the hood?

Eighty-six or 86 is American English slang, generally meaning to "get rid of" someone or something. In the hospitality industry, it is used to indicate that an item is no longer available, traditionally from a food or drinks establishment, or referring to a person or people who are not welcome on the premises.

What does 23 mean in the hood?

For some time past there has been going the rounds of the men about town the slang phrase "Twenty-three." The meaning attached to it is to "move on," "get out," "good-bye, glad you are gone," "your move" and so on. To the initiated it is used with effect in a jocular manner.

Does 10/7 mean dead?

Yes, "10-7" often means "dead" or "deceased" in a symbolic, respectful way for fallen officers, though its standard meaning is "out of service," but specific police codes vary by agency; for funerals, it's a tribute to an officer permanently "out of service". While traditionally 10-7 means unavailable (e.g., on a break), some departments have evolved its use to honor officers who have died in the line of duty, often followed by a "10-42" (end of duty) or a moment of silence.
 

Is it legal to listen to a police scanner?

Are police scanners legal in California? Yes—California imposes no mobile ban. But Pen. Code § 636 criminalizes using a scanner to further wiretapping or crime.

What is an L car police?

L. Basic Patrol Car (One Uniformed Officer)

Is calling a cop a pig illegal?

No, calling a cop a "pig" is generally not illegal in the U.S. because it's considered protected speech under the First Amendment, but it's a bad idea because it can lead to arrest for other offenses like disorderly conduct or obstructing duty if done in a way that creates a disturbance, threatens violence, or interferes with an officer's work, even if the insult itself isn't the crime. While you have the right to criticize police, context matters, and actions or words that incite immediate fights or block an officer's duties can result in charges, though Supreme Court rulings limit such arrests. 

What is code 12 in police code?

10-11 Identify this frequency. 10-12 Visitors are present (be discrete). 10-13 Advise weather and road conditions. 10-14 Citizen holding suspect.

What is slang for 12?

In slang, "12" refers to the police or law enforcement, used as a warning or a derogatory term, stemming from theories like the old police code 10-12 or the TV show Adam-12, and popularized in hip-hop and protests to signal police presence or express anti-police sentiment. 

Why is getting banned called 86?

"86" means to get rid of something or someone, originating from restaurant slang where it signaled an item was sold out, evolving from possible roots like soda fountain lingo or electrical codes, and later used for kicking out patrons, though its exact origin is debated, with theories including "nix" rhyme, Chumley's bar, or even "80 miles out, 6 feet under". 

What does 68 mean in a restaurant?

In restaurant code, 68 means an item that was out of stock (86ed) is now back and available, the opposite of 86, signaling staff to offer it to customers again, or a request to restock it. It's a quick communication tool for servers and bartenders to manage menu availability without disturbing guests, often used alongside codes like 85 (almost out) and 200 (customer needs service). 

What does 87 mean in a restaurant?

In restaurant slang, "87" (eighty-seven) isn't as common as "86," but it generally means an item is almost out of stock or in very limited supply, signaling staff to prepare to cut it soon, contrasting with "86" (completely gone/remove) or "85" (almost gone/restock). It's a status indicator, showing something is low but not zero, often used to manage customer expectations before it's unavailable. 

Why do gangsters call police 12?

Gangsters and others call cops "12" primarily due to the popular 1960s/70s TV show Adam-12, where "1-Adam-12" was a patrol car's call sign, associating "12" with police, though it might also come from police radio code "10-12" (visitors present/bystanders) used to warn others, with the exact origin debated but popularized through music and social media.
 

Why do people yell 12?

You might hear someone say “12 is coming” in a song or on the street and wonder what it means. The term “12” is slang for police officers. People use this code word to warn others that cops are nearby or approaching.

Why are police called the popo?

Police are called "popo" largely as slang derived from the letters "PO" (for Police Officer) seen on the backs of officers' shirts, especially when they rode bicycles in pairs in Southern California during the 1980s, creating the "PO-PO" visual, though it's also a general shortened slang term for police. It's a playful, sometimes derogatory, way to refer to law enforcement, originating from officers themselves and spreading into popular culture. 

What is a rip in police terms?

A "RIP", Reduction In Pay, is NYPD slang for a disciplinary action being taken against a Member Of the Service (MOS).

What does 4 fingers up mean for cops?

The most common hand signal street cops will use between themselves is displaying four fingers (Code 4) which means they don't need any help.

Why do cops show up with EMTs?

In addition, LE officers are routinely assigned to many EMS calls due to potential scene safety issues, violence, potential crimes in progress, traffic control, documentation, and investigation needs. Once at the scene, teamwork between EMS and law enforcement is essential for an effective emergency response.