Most of the reply seemed reasonable, with the exception of the rather patronizing comment about “real people” and use of the word"fuzz". It was in common usage in the UK for most of the 60’s and 70’s. It also gave rise to a slang term “picked up by the fuzz” which equated being copped by the police with being grabbed by the “short and curlies” the hairs on the back of the neck. Anybody with a scruffy haircut and an insensitive parent can identify with that one!
Why are the police called cops, pigs, or the fuzz?
This is a Staff Report hence it might get moved along to the appropriate forum.
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C. Guevara, Thread Policeman.
Welcome to the SDMB, Neddy.
Since this is a comment on a Staff Report written by one of Cecil’s assistants, and not a Straight Dope column written by Cecil himself, I’ll move this thread to the appropriate forum.
bibliophage
moderator CCC
That’s the first time I’ve heard “short and curlies” referring to the hairs of the neck as opposed to a certain other anatomical region where short and curly hair is known to grow. But this page agrees that the phrase originally referred to neck hairs. I never would have guessed.
This lady wanted to join a biker gang. The leader figured she wasn’t tough enough to join thier gang, but he decided to humor her by asking her a few questions.
“Got any ink?” “Sure.” She proudly showed off her tatoos.
"Been in a fight? “Yeah. buncha times.”
“Done it on the back of a Hawg?” “Wish I had a nickel for every time I had”
“Been picked up by the fuzz?” “Well, no.” she admitted, “but I been slung around by the tits a couple of times.” 