Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site warwick.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!mcvax!ukc!warwick!kay From: kay@warwick.UUCP (Kay Dekker) Newsgroups: net.movies,net.games.trivia Subject: Re: Witch question Message-ID: <2287@flame.warwick.UUCP> Date: Mon, 8-Jul-85 13:59:38 EDT Article-I.D.: flame.2287 Posted: Mon Jul 8 13:59:38 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jul-85 20:33:45 EDT References: <767@burl.UUCP> <903@mtgzz.UUCP> Reply-To: kay@warwick.UUCP (Kay Dekker) Organization: VLSI Group, Warwick University, UK Lines: 32 Xref: watmath net.movies:6960 net.games.trivia:2036 Xpath: warwick flame flame ubu In article <903@mtgzz.UUCP> leeper@mtgzz.UUCP (m.r.leeper) writes: > >She says "It's a fair cop." I think in the crunchy frog sketch someone >also says "It's a fair cop." The phrase may be a Britishism. Sort of >like "live long and prosper" is an Americanism. It may be the modern >equivalent of "bobs your uncle." On the other hand it may be just a >Pythonism. Someone out there know more about this particular phrase. > A phrase traditionally uttered by a "villain" apprehended by "the long arm of the law". Such a person would, of course, be attired in hooped black-and-white jersey, with a flat cap and an eyemask, and carrying a bag labelled "SWAG" over one shoulder. A more complete form of the phrase is: It's a fair cop, Guv, I'll come quietly. The meaning of the phrase is (roughly): Sir (or Madam), you and I are both professionals; I have been discovered in the execution of a crime by means both legal and above-board; therefore I shall cause you no trouble during the process of my arrest. I am assured by my acquaintances in the police that the phrase is only heard from the lips of those who have seen too many "Cops 'n Robbers" television series. No self-respecting criminal would *ever* utter such hackneyed tripe. Kay. -- "In a world without rational structure, even the most bizarre events must eventually take place." -- Philip Avalon, "On the Resurrection of Reagan" ... mcvax!ukc!warwick!flame!kay