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JadziaDax · 07-10-2003, 01:42 AM

The Word of the Day for July 10 is:

flatfoot • \FLAT-foot\ • (noun) 1. a condition in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire sole rests upon the ground; 2a. slang: police officer; especially a patrolman walking a regular beat; 2b. slang: sailor

A little more information about today’s word:
In 1899 the police officers of Akron, Ohio, climbed aboard the first police car (a patrol wagon powered by an electric motor). In that same year the noun "flatty" was first used in print with the meaning "police officer." Mere coincidence? Maybe, but consider that quite a few similar words have been used over the years to distinguish pedestrian officers from mobile ones, including "flat," "flat arch," flathead," "flatter," and today's featured word, "flatfoot." Other notable (and more comic) descriptors are "pavement pounder" and "sidewalk snail." "Flatfoot" dates its "police officer" sense from 1913. It is especially used of those footing it to keep our cities safe, but it can also refer to police in general.

My sentence (using definition #2a):
"'You've got your story and you stick to it,' he said in a low voice. 'Get that? Stick to it. Don't mind this flatfoot who's coming. He hasn't got a thing on you.'"
-- Mary Roberts Rinehart, Saturday Evening Post, May 1983

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

07-10-2003, 01:42 AM	#60 (permalink)
JadziaDax Loser Location: who the fuck cares?	Word of the day July 10 The Word of the Day for July 10 is: flatfoot • \FLAT-foot\ • (noun) 1. a condition in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire sole rests upon the ground; 2a. slang: police officer; especially a patrolman walking a regular beat; 2b. slang: sailor A little more information about today’s word: In 1899 the police officers of Akron, Ohio, climbed aboard the first police car (a patrol wagon powered by an electric motor). In that same year the noun "flatty" was first used in print with the meaning "police officer." Mere coincidence? Maybe, but consider that quite a few similar words have been used over the years to distinguish pedestrian officers from mobile ones, including "flat," "flat arch," flathead," "flatter," and today's featured word, "flatfoot." Other notable (and more comic) descriptors are "pavement pounder" and "sidewalk snail." "Flatfoot" dates its "police officer" sense from 1913. It is especially used of those footing it to keep our cities safe, but it can also refer to police in general. My sentence (using definition #2a): "'You've got your story and you stick to it,' he said in a low voice. 'Get that? Stick to it. Don't mind this flatfoot who's coming. He hasn't got a thing on you.'" -- Mary Roberts Rinehart, Saturday Evening Post, May 1983 Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition. Next sentence?