noun
General Slang
woodentop
· noun · police
CID putdown for a uniformed officer.
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Definitions
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A uniformed police constable, as called by plain-clothes detectives. Implies thick-headed, by-the-book, all helmet and no brain.
“CID can't be bothered — they've sent a couple of woodentops to take the statement.”
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woodentop In A Sentence
CID can't be bothered — they've sent a couple of woodentops to take the statement.
Origin & Usage
British, mid-20th century. Detectives in plain clothes used it to mock uniformed colleagues — a dig at the rigid custodian helmet and, by extension, the wearer's perceived lack of imagination. Also the title of the 1983 ITV pilot that became The Bill.
Variants
wooden top
People Also Ask
What does woodentop mean?
It's a CID (plainclothes detective) putdown for a uniformed police officer.
How do you use woodentop in a sentence?
"Leave the paperwork to the woodentops and let the detectives crack the case."
Is woodentop offensive?
It's mildly derogatory slang used within the police to mock uniformed officers, implying they're not the sharpest.
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