Slang vernacular nickname for police constables and police officers. Used primarily by criminals and/or those who harbour an unfavourable viewpoint of law enforcement.
The term originated in what is today the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, where it is still used today by many people.
It is rarely used as a term of endearment towards the police.
It is also used occasionally in the
United States of America, although many other nicknames prevail there.
"Oi! It's the bloody filth! Get your arse out of here, mate!"
"Oi,
look at you bumbling about like a bunch of schoolgirls. It could've been the bloody filth up in here and you'd all have been nicked."
"Oi, don't mess with the bloody filth, you tosser."
"Oi!
That's what happens, when you mess with the filth. You
get nicked, crim."