Keystone Kops
Incompetent silent policemen
Keystone Kops refers to the bumbling, chaotic police officers from early silent film comedies, known for their frantic chases and slapstick incompetence.
The term now describes any group—especially law enforcement or officials—whose efforts are comically disorganized or inept: The investigation was a Keystone Kops operation from start to finish.
Also spelled Keystone Cops.
- parodiesSatirical imitations
- bumblersHabitually clumsy people
- policemenSworn law enforcement officers
- hilarityExtreme amusement, often shared
- car chaseHigh-speed vehicular pursuit
farces · silent films · silent era · black and white · Laurel and Hardy · slapstick · Three Stooges · comedy · film series · facial expressions · comic timing · silent film era · double takes · Marx Brothers · costumes · pratfalls · Model T · Charlie Chaplin
Keystone Kopselite squad
Highly trained select group
special forces · Navy SEALs · Scotland Yard · FBI · crack team
Keystone KopsLaw & Order
Enforcement and adjudication
The Wire · procedural drama · hard-boiled detective · film noir
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