rent-a-cop

English

Etymology

From rent +‎ a +‎ cop, modelled after the brand name Rent-a-Car.

Noun

rent-a-cop (plural rent-a-cops)

1. (colloquial, derogatory) A private security guard, usually one regarded as inferior to and less skilled than a true law enforcement officer.
   • 1984, William Gibson, Neuromancer (Sprawl; book 1), New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, →ISBN, page 24:

     “What got into you tonight? Why'd you pull that scene at the arcade? I had to mess up this rentacop^[sic] came after me with nunchucks.”

Alternative forms

• rentacop

Anagrams

• Caperton, co-parent, coparent, portance