A person whose arch has collapsed so their entire sole touches the ground, or old-fashioned slang for a police officer.
From Old English 'flat' and 'foot'; the police slang originated in early 20th-century America, possibly referencing the walking a beat officer does on flat ground.
The word 'flatfoot' for a cop is purely American slang from the 1920s—British police were 'bobbies,' but American uniqueness demanded a less formal, more colloquial term for the beat walker.
Slang for police detective, historically male-dominated profession. Term carries masculine occupational coding from early 20th-century usage patterns when policing was exclusively male.
Use 'detective' or 'police officer' in neutral contexts. 'Flatfoot' remains acceptable in historical fiction or when addressing gender-specific policing history.
["detective","police officer","investigator"]
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