A dated American slang term for a uniformed police officer — specifically one who walks a beat in full uniform, as opposed to a plainclothes detective.
A dated American slang term for a uniformed police officer — specifically one who walks a beat in full uniform, as opposed to a plainclothes detective. The "harness" refers to the belt, holster, and gear a cop straps on, and "bull" was old-school criminal slang for a cop or lawman. Put them together and you get a vivid image of someone all geared up in official uniform. Though old-fashioned today, you'll still catch it in crime fiction, noir films, and classic TV dramas.
The pickpocket spotted the harness bull on the corner and immediately changed direction.
Add your own interpretation of "harness bull".
Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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(US, slang, dated) A uniformed police officer.
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