Dictionary

holler copper en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˌhɑ.lɚ ˈkɑ.pɚ/ (US)

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (US, intransitive, slang) To draw attention to something about to happen or already in progress in the hope of preventing it from proceeding.
   • It's alright to holler copper on a guy—but this guy was her friend. 1927, Drew Ryan, Angel's Flight, New York: Boni and Silverlight, page 21:
   • “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. ...” 1938 December, Damon Runyon, “Palm Beach Santa Claus”, in Collier’s, published 1924, pages 9–10:
   • 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. 1947 July 17, Red Smith, “They Trut Him Good”, in New York Herald Tribune:

Forms