Danger: Jumping to conclusions that are too obvious

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In a message dated 9/10/2006 9:51:56 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
jrw@xxxxxxxxx writes:

<< There has obviously been considerable influence of Yiddish on the
English language, especially in America -- but also in England. I
had assumed that the English slang term "copper" for a policeman came
from the Yiddish word khapper -- someone who khaps you (i.e.
grabs you or collars you). But it turns out, disappointingly, that
"to cop" was also North-country English slang for to catch or grab.
Wasn't khapper the Yiddish term for the police officer who went
around grabbing young Russian Jews off the street to enlist them in
the Czar's army?

mathematical chances that one word in one language will appear similar to a word
of similar meaning in the other language?


dictionary can be helpful. My hard-disk RH dictionary tells me that "to cop"
meaning "to catch" or "arrest" was introduced into English in 1695-1705--too
soon after Jews were readmitted into England to hold Jewish slang
responsible. The dictionary traces the word to Scots usage, via Old french
"caper"-- to take, and ultimately to the Latin verb capere.

that claims to show that a huge part of the English language is based on Hebrew
roots. Interesting, eye-opening at times, giggly-funny in large part.

us--but only as a basis for research and ultimate confirmation.

Michael Bernet, New York
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