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rent-a-cop

rent-a-cop

9 8.9
A private security guard many people think has little authority or skill
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛntəˌkɑp/
  • Offensive
translation icon : segurata
  • The rent-a-cop at the mall asked us to stop skateboarding in the parking lot.
  • hire rent-a-cops
  • rent-a-cop security
  • little rent-a-cop

Examples

  • Your rent-a-cops are a tad under trained.

  • Look, this hairy, drunk rent-a-cop confused "go away" for "hit on me."

  • These rent-a-cops are such a drag.

  • The one rent-a-cop at the gate will be long gone along with the other cops.

    Blog text (18)
  • The estate has its own little village, complete with a chapel, library, and many, many rent-a-cops.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • We hired rent-a-cops, changed my phone number, and checked all mail for explosives.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • All I can do now is watch TV and hope the rent-a-cops keep the loonies out.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Now, some rent-a-cops have licenses to carry weapons, while others do not.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I'm talking something so low-profile, a rent-a-cop watches the place.

  • A rent-a-cop intercepts us and points a heavy steel flashlight at my chest like a gun.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

security guard
vsrent-a-cop
210 1.3

A person who watches and protects a building or people to stop stealing and trouble

is informal and derogatory, suggesting low authority and low competence

How Authoritative

police officer
560 1.1
security guard
210 1.3
doorman
106 1.2
rent-a-cop
  • Offensive
9 8.9

Surface Forms

rent-a-cop singular
rent-a-cops plural

Morphology

rent-a-cop = rent + a + cop (transparent) = rent + a + cop

The meaning is a literal, colloquial compound 'rent' + 'a' + 'cop' conveying 'a cop for hire' (i.e., a hired security guard), which is directly inferable from the parts.

Etymology

Rent-a-cop comes from rent meaning 'to hire for a short time' and cop meaning 'police officer'. It is someone paid to act like a police officer, so people often see them as having little real authority.