holler copper

holler copper

English

Etymology

holler (“to yell”) + copper (“police officer”).

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌhɑ.lɚ ˈkɑ.pɚ/

Verb

holler copper (third-person singular simple present hollers copper, present participle hollering copper, simple past and past participle hollered copper)

1. (slang, US, intransitive) To draw attention to something about to happen or already in progress in the hope of preventing it from proceeding.
   • 1938 December 1924, Damon Runyon, “Palm Beach Santa Claus”, Collier’s, page 9–10:

     “I will never forgive myself if I am compelled to holler copper on anybody whatsoever,” Fatso says, “but,” he says, “of course I will do so as a last resort to prevent Gregorio from marrying Betty Lou. ...”

   • 1947 July 17, Red Smith, “They Trut Him Good”, New York Herald Tribune:

     The first thing to remember is that there has not been a smidgen of proof that Graziano committed any offense save a technical violation of the commission's Rule 64, which requires a boxer to holler copper when any sinister influence makes a pass at him.