-----Original Message-----
From: "cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org" <cctalk-admin_at_classiccmp.org> on behalf of "Hans B Pufal" <hansp_at_aconit.org>
Sent: 27 October 2002 20:16
To: "cctalk_at_classiccmp.org" <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Subject: Re: Origin of "half-inched" - OT
snip
< I recently heard from Bob King that "it was born shortly
< after Sir Robert Peel introduced and implemented his idea for a Police
< force. The criminal fraternity had never been faced with such a
< concerted effort to thwart them, so they developed Cockney Slang, the
< idea of which being that, two or more criminals could hold open
<conversation, within earshot of a "Peeler," without fear that their
<plans were being overheard by the police."
Likewise "mug shots". When photography was introduced, criminals would "mug", ie twist their faces, in order to render the photo unrecognisable.
Apologies for the lousy formatting. Posting from a web browser with interface poisoning.
Rob
Received on Mon Oct 28 2002 - 11:06:01 GMT