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Jun 3, 2025
This week’s themeWords with movie connections This week’s words Keystone cop big chill ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargkeystone cop
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: An incompetent bungling person, especially a police officer.
ETYMOLOGY:
After Keystone Cops/Kops, a series of comedy films starting with the
1912 silent film Hoffmeyer’s Legacy. The films were produced by the
Keystone Studios. Earliest documented use: 1917.
NOTES:
The films featured incompetent policemen in ill-fitting uniforms.
They often tripped over each other, got into frenetic chase scenes, and
were involved in other chaotic farcical situations. Imagine if the
Avengers had no training, no plan, and tripped over their own capes.
Such is the energy of the Keystone Cops.
USAGE:
“The parents of Madeleine McCann have been declared suspects by police in
Portugal. Many are now referring to the case as a travesty as these
Keystone cops have now played a what appears to be desperate move to try
and save face.” Lynda Johnson; Madeleine McCann Parents Shocked; The National Ledger (Phoenix, Arizona); Sep 8, 2007. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There is nothing more dangerous than a government of the many controlled by
the few. -Lawrence Lessig, professor and political activist (b. 3 Jun 1961)
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