British English Slang – Old Bill.
Meaning – Police. This expression is used to describe the police in an informal way. The Old Bill can be used to describe police collectively or in a general way.
In the UK there are a number of different slang expressions that can be used to refer to the police. Many of these expressions are impolite, but the expression Old Bill infers a certain amount of respect. This expression is informal but friendly.
Example:
- “Hey boys, you better watch out. I’ve just seen the Old Bill down the road.”
Listen to how it’s pronounced:
What is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s British slang for the police, used collectively or in general — for example, “the Old Bill turned up” means the police arrived.
No — unlike many British slang terms for police, “Old Bill” is informal but friendly rather than disrespectful.
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