Plural of bobby; British police officers (named after Sir Robert Peel, who established the modern police force).
From bobby, a British slang term for a police officer, derived from the name of Robert Peel (1788-1850), who created the Metropolitan Police Force in London in 1829. The affectionate nickname quickly became standard terminology and remains in use today.
British people called their police 'bobbies' after the guy who invented modern policing—imagine if American cops were still called 'Franklins' after Benjamin Franklin; it shows how one person can permanently change an entire language!
Term for British police officers, historically male-dominated profession. 'Bobbies' (from Robert Peel) entered common use in 19th century when policing was exclusively male; the term carries that historical gender exclusion.
Use inclusively when referring to female officers: specify 'female bobbies,' 'women officers,' or use 'officer' to avoid gendered professional language.
["police officers","constables","law enforcement officers"]
Women police constables in UK were only formally integrated in 1920s; early pioneers faced institutional resistance. Language that neutralizes professional titles honors their contribution to changing male-only policing.
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