etymology - What is the origin of the word "copped"?


In the language used by footy (Australian football) commentators the word "copped" is frequent. For instance, if a player gets knocked on the head, say, then the sentence might be "player X copped one". I never heard this expression in Britain or the USA. Is it a specifically Australian word? And where does it come from?



Answer



It's used quite a lot in British English. The verb "cop":



1.1 Incur (something unwelcome):
 ‘England’s captain copped most of the blame’



In your context, you could say "Player A copped a knock on the head".


Interestingly, you can also receive something welcome by "copping" it:



I copped myself a bottle of champagne in the raffle



Regarding etymology:



early 18th century (as a verb): perhaps from obsolete cap 'arrest', from Old French caper 'seize', from Latin capere



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