How do you use "Old Bill" in a sentence?

The Old Bill turned up after the fight. He's got a history with the Old Bill. Old Bill are investigating.

Old Bill

Q: What does "Old Bill" mean?

The police (British). British slang for police, less derogatory than 'the filth.' Origin debated—possibly from a WWI soldier or King William IV.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: The police (British).

警察（英国）

la policía (británico)

警察（イギリス）

경찰 (영국)

British slang for police, less derogatory than 'the filth.' Origin debated—possibly from a WWI soldier or King William IV.

英国俚语指警察，比'the filth'贬义程度低。语源有争议——可能来自一战士兵或威廉四世。

Argot británico para la policía, menos despectivo que 'the filth'. Origen debatido—posiblemente de un soldado de la Primera Guerra Mundial o del Rey Guillermo IV.

「the filth」より蔑称度が低いイギリスの警察スラング。語源は諸説あり—第一次世界大戦の兵士やウィリアム4世から来ている可能性がある。

영국 속어로 경찰을 가리키며, 'the filth'보다 비하의 뉘앙스가 적다. 유래는 논란이 있는데, 1차 세계대전 군인 또는 윌리엄 4세에서 왔다는 설이 있다.

Literal meaning: Old William (uncertain origin)

Examples

The Old Bill turned up after the fight.
打架后警察来了
La poli apareció después de la pelea
喧嘩の後に警察が来た
싸움 뒤에 경찰이 나타났다.
He's got a history with the Old Bill.
他和警察有过节
Tiene historial con la poli
彼は警察と因縁がある
그는 경찰과 악연이 있다.
Old Bill are investigating.
警察在调查
La poli está investigando
警察が捜査中だ
경찰이 수사 중이다.

Pronunciation

/əʊld bɪl/

Usage Guide

Context: police, British, informal

Tone: informal, neutral

✓ Do Say

The Old Bill are here.
警察在这儿
La poli está aquí
警察がいる
경찰이 왔다.
Old Bill nicked him.
警察抓了他
La poli lo pilló
警察が彼を捕まえた
경찰이 그를 잡았다.
Call the Old Bill.
叫警察
Llama a la poli
警察を呼べ
경찰을 불러.

✗ Don't Say

The police
The police（警察）
The police（La policía）
The police（警察）
경찰
The cops
The cops（条子）
The cops（Los polis）
The cops（お巡り）
순경

Common Mistakes

More neutral than 'the filth'
Very common in British English

Origin & History

Uncertain—possibly from a WWI cartoon or King William IV.

Etymology: British slang

First recorded: Early 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working class mainly

Pop culture: UK TV show 'The Bill'; British crime dramas

Regional notes: Common British slang for police.

Variations

Old BillThe Old BillBill