five-o

English

Etymology

From the police procedural television series Hawaii Five-O (first aired in 1968), so named because it is set in Hawaii, which is the 50th U.S. state.

There is another theory on this that, in the 80s unmarked ford police cars in the United States where identifiable by being equipped with the 5.0 badge on the front quarter panel due to the police pack used as unmarked cars having a 5 litre v8.

Lookouts for street drug dealers would call out 5 O! To say possible cop! Don't approach car.

Pronunciation
  • Audio (AU)(file)

Noun

five-o (uncountable)

  1. (US, slang, street slang) The police.

Usage notes
  • Typically shouted as a warning of approaching police by lookouts at a site of drug-dealing etc.

Alternative forms
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