five-o

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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five-o (uncountable)

  1. (US street slang) The police. [from 1980s]
    • 1989, “Car Thief”, in Paul's Boutique, performed by Beastie Boys:
      Five-oh caught me, now I'm going to the mountains / Said good-bye to my girl, my lawyer and accountants

Usage notes

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

Further reading

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