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Old Bill

(British slang, frequently with the) The police force.

ˈoʊld ˈbɪlDocumented since 1830sSilenthistoricalCurrent54 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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3 citations · last seen May 2026

Etymology timeline

Born ~1830 · 1 year of recorded use
1830Born2026: 3 citationsToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(British slang, frequently with the) The police force.

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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK

(British slang, dated) A soldier, especially one who resembles the cartoon character of the same name created by Bruce Bairnsfather in 1914.

Heard in the wild
  • Me looking at 76 year old Bill Burham: "You're already dead, asshole."

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • Just pulled in to charge the van and there's old bill sitting in a diesel with his engine running blocking 2 of the bays. Absolute walloper.

    Bluesky· May 2026
  • Netflix should put an old Bill Cosby special on. He's still alive, and a free man! Hook a brotha up!

    Bluesky· May 2026
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK

(British, slang, law enforcement) A police officer.

Origin: . Suggested sources for the police officer and police force terms include: #Old Bill, comic character created by Bruce Bairnsfather. #Music hall song "Won't you come home, Bill Bailey", which references the Old Bailey criminal court. #William IV (reigned 1830-37), who became king the year after the Metropolitan Police were founded (1829). #Wilhelm I, Prussian Kaiser who visited the UK around the same time the custodian helmet was adopted (1863). #cutting instrument or billhook, weapons carried by constables of the watch. #written note of services rendered, allegedly presented by a police of. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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