north. dial. and slang. [Perh. a broad pronunciation of CAP v.2 (OF. caper to seize); in nearly all North Eng. glossaries; and now of general diffusion in the slang of schoolboys, criminals, policemen, etc.]
trans. To capture, catch, lay hold of, ‘nab.’
1704. E. Ward, Dissenting Hyp., 30. If the Cruel Stork should come, He’d Tyrannize and Cop up some [Frogs].
1844. trans. Eugene Sue’s Myst. Paris, III. xi. 1067. Waiting until the patrol should pass, to commence my robbery, my burglary, in order to be copped!
1868. Daily Tel., 7 Sept., 3/1. The privileged driver, on dropping his fare … almost invariably ‘cops’ a job on his way back.
1883. Huddersf. Gloss., s.v., A cricket ball is copt; so is a bird if hit with a stone.
1886. T. Frost, Remin. Country Journalist, ii. (1888), 26. He copped Joe as he was coming out of the granary.
1888. Pall Mall Gaz., 11 June, 8/1. Prisoner … said, ‘Yes, I am the man. I am glad you have copped me.’
