Why are police called 50?

Police are called "5-0" (Five-Oh) primarily due to the popular 1968-1980 TV show Hawaii Five-O, which featured a Hawaiian police task force, referencing Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state, and the term became widespread slang for police in general, though some link it to older slang from 5.0-liter Ford police cars or even California Penal Code 187 (murder) in certain contexts.


Why is the police 50?

Cops as 5-0 and the 12

In the context of the show, “Five-0” referred to Hawaii being the 50th state. (The show actually influenced two major bits of slang: “Book 'em, Danno,” a phrase used by star Jack Lord in reference to processing perps, also entered the lexicon.)

What is 5o slang for?

In slang, 5-0 (Five-O) means police, originating from the classic TV show Hawaii Five-O, which named its fictional state police unit after Hawaii being the 50th U.S. state. While the show made it famous, the term became a general nickname for law enforcement, often used as a warning, like "Here comes the 5-0!". 


Why do rappers call police 12?

Rappers call the police "12" as slang, likely originating from the police radio code "10-12" (meaning "stand by" or "civilians present") or the 1960s cop show Adam-12, with the term becoming popularized in hip-hop to refer to law enforcement, especially narcotics units, as a way to warn others or show disdain, notes PoliceOfc.com and Mental Floss. 

What does 50 mean in police terms?

"50" or "Five-O" (Five-Oh) is police slang for law enforcement, originating from the popular TV show Hawaii Five-O, named for Hawaii being the 50th state; the phrase became common to refer to police generally, even though the show depicted a fictional state police unit. In police radio codes, "10-50" usually means a vehicle accident, with variations for details like fire (10-50F) or injuries (10-50PI). 


Why Are Police Called 5-0? - CountyOffice.org



Why are US police called 50?

“Five-o” referred to the Hawaiian police force in the show, based on Hawaii being the fiftieth state to join the union. Though inaccurate, as Hawaiian police officers in real life have no such designation, the nickname became popular among fans and is still used to refer to police across the country to this day.

What is a 69 in police code?

In police "10-codes," 10-69 generally means "Message Received," indicating the officer acknowledged a transmission, but some variations exist, like advising a phone number, while other codes like the penal code 69 refer to resisting an officer. The meaning depends on whether it's a standard 10-code (communication) or a state-specific penal code (law). 

What does WRD mean in slang?

In slang, WRD is short for "word," used to show agreement, acknowledgment, or approval, like saying "true," "I agree," or "got it," and can also express surprise with a question mark (WRD?!). It's a quick way to confirm you heard someone or validate their statement in texts and online chats. 


What does 12 mean in hood slang?

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. 

What does 53 mean in slang?

53x stands for sex. 53x is an internet slang expression that is code for sex.

What is a rip in NYPD?

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


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". 

Why do cops call their cars shops?

Cops, especially in the LAPD, call their cars "shops" because the unique number on the vehicle is its "shop number," used for maintenance and tracking, and the term was shortened from "shop number" to just "shop" to refer to the car itself. It's departmental slang where the car is seen as the officer's mobile workstation or business location, essentially "minding the shop". 

What does 213 mean in police?

“X” – Denotes a Female. “POV” — Privately Owned Vehicle. 187 Murder. 211 Robbery (holdup) 213 Purse Snatch.


What does 54 mean for cops?

10-54 Possible dead body. 10-55 Coroner's case. 10-56 Suicide. 10-56A Suicide attempt.

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 89 mean in slang?

In slang, 89 has different meanings, most notably as a derogatory term in Taiwan for young, low-socioeconomic status males (from "8+9" related to gang culture) and, in Vietnamese/internet culture, as a shorthand for "good night" (combining luck of 8 and sound of 9/night). It's less common in general English slang, but can sometimes refer to number-based communication about sexual partners, though this is usually clearer from context (like asking "your number"). 


What is 20 called in slang?

"20" as slang usually means location, coming from the police/CB radio code "10-20" (Where are you?), but it can also refer to someone in their twenties (20-29 years old), or, less commonly, a set of 20 goals for the year, all derived from the number's core meanings. 

What does h8 stand for in texting?

h8 – Hate. hella – Really. hits different – Something that affects you in a particular way. hv – Have. hw – Homework.

What does JHC mean in texting?

Jesus H. Christ, an example of slang serving as a profanity. Jesus Henry Christ, a 2012 comedy based on Dennis Lee's Student Academy Award-winning short film of the same name.


What does weee mean in slang?

"Weee" (or "whee") in slang usually expresses excitement, delight, or surprise, like shouting when going down a slide, but "wee" can also mean "small" (especially in Scottish/Irish slang) or, as "wee-wee," refer to urinating, particularly for children. The context determines the meaning, but it's often about smallness or a joyful sound. 

Does 10/7 mean dead?

No, 10-7 generally means "out of service" or "off duty" for a police officer, but in a highly emotional, unofficial tribute for a fallen officer, it can be used to signify they are gone or deceased, often followed by no response or a final "10-4" (acknowledged) as a sign of respect, though specific codes for "dead" vary by agency (like 10-42 for ending duty). 

What does 7 Adam mean?

"7 Adam" most commonly refers to a police radio call sign, meaning a two-officer patrol unit (Adam) from Division 7, often seen in shows like The Rookie, but it can also relate to biblical creation where "adam" signifies humanity formed from dust, connecting to the Hebrew word for ground (adamah). In police codes, "Adam" is the phonetic alphabet for 'A', identifying a standard two-person patrol car in a specific division. 


What is a 1066 in police code?

There isn't one universal "1066" police code, as meanings vary by agency, but it often relates to Missing Person (like 10-65) or sometimes Message Cancellation/Suspicious Person, with "10-66" sometimes meaning "Notify Medical Examiner," while codes like 10-96 are common for Mental Health, showing the range and lack of universal consistency.