five-o

Slang for cops

Five-o is slang for police, from the television series *Hawaii Five-O* (1968–1980) about a state police unit.

The term spread through hip-hop and urban slang as a warning or reference: Five-o coming, act cool.

Sometimes spelled five-oh or 5-0.

slang

cop

Law enforcement slang

  • bustFailure or sculpture
  • raidSudden armed incursion
  • narcUndercover drug officer

sting · undercover · informant · snitch · heat · fuzz · pigs · bacon · boys in blue · the man

police

cop

Law enforcement slang

  • patrolRegular surveillance route
  • squadSmall working group
  • badgeWorn symbol of membership

uniform · officer · arrest · squad car · precinct · siren · handcuffs · detective · sergeant · constable

warning

heads up

Advance warning notice

scatter · watch out · incoming · run · hide · stash · ditch · flee · disperse · warning

Categories
Opposites
law enforcement vs. lawbreakers

five-ocriminal

Person who breaks laws

crook · outlaw · perp · fugitive · lawbreaker

authority vs. anti-authority

five-ocivilian

Non-military person

the people · citizen · anarchist · rebel · protester

slang register vs. formal terminology

five-opolice officer

Law enforcement agent

law enforcement · peace officer · constable · officer of the law · badge

Phrases
Family

fivefold

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Mostly American · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG