Skip to main content
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.

Rent-a-cop 

Security guards, usually unarmed, that are hired by companies and rented out to agencies for things such as concerts or school security.
My school is full of rent-a-cops, armed with nothing tougher than their cell phones. Safe, it ain't!
Rent-a-cop by Fat Tony January 19, 2007

rent-a-cop 

(offensive, disparaging) A private security guard, bodyguard or armored car guard. Used as an insult.
(rent-a-cop)
rent-a-cop by Shelmac May 23, 2015

Rent-a-cop 

A slang term for a Security Guard (known as Security Officer in the business).

There are several kinds of people attracted to this work:

1.) The "Lifer": A loser in life who cannot do anything other than be a waste of space. These are the ones that make it harder for other people to perform a simple job of making sure a client's property doesn't burn down or get ransacked. They are insecure, lazy, and mentally slow. They think that they are somehow like Police or the Military. These tend to be in their late 30's and higher but you can see this sad excuse for existence in some 20 somethings that really fail at life. .

2.) College students: A lot of the younger guards you will run into who seem intelligent are usually in this class. Often this occupation allows for ample study time if done covertly. The pay rate is much better than most college jobs so they play it smart and do these kinds of jobs.

3.) Retired people: Surprisingly enough not every old guard you see will be an idiot. Often these are guys and gals who have retired and in order to have a supplemental income, they take on this job. They are often articulate and fairly intelligent for the most part.
816 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin has a really bad Lifer at night. Go skate there in the alleyways to watch his dumbass in action. He's a real Rent-a-cop!
Rent-a-cop by Coca-Cola Kid December 20, 2009

beat it like a cop 

she said she want me to beat it like a cop

rent a cop 

University security. They drive around looking for trouble, but when it gets dirty, the call the real cops.
The public safety aka rent a cop had to call the city cops because the party was too big.
rent a cop by webmasterhcharlie September 4, 2006

rent a cop 

someone who's a rented cop. usually a security guard at schools or events.
yo that rent-a-cop can't do shit. he doesnt even have a badge.
rent a cop by ALeN BaLeN April 28, 2003
More from Urban Dictionary
A girl who does ballet and only talks about ballet. Her schedule is filled with dance classes which does not allow her to do any other activity.
"Hey, do you know that girl Sally?"

"Yeah, she's kind of annoying. All she ever talks about it ballet."

"Wow, what a Bunhead."

"Hey Sally, you want to hang out this weekend?"
"I can't, I have dance."
"You're such a Bunhead."

"Yeah... I know."
Bunhead by Jen00 October 24, 2014
Word of the Day on October 6, 2026

trucker's tan 

A sunburn or suntan focused on the left arm. It is caused by the left side of the body being the only half that gets exposed to sunlight while driving. Presumably, it would be located on the right side of the body in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.
I had a trucker's tan after driving for 10 straight hours on a sunny day.
Word of the Day on October 5, 2026
The phenomenon where adults salivate at children's toys
Every time I walk into the toy aisle, I catch myself kidulting over the latest action figures and LEGO sets!
kidulting by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
Word of the Day on October 4, 2026
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”

Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
According to the boffins downstairs, the murderer used a serrated blade.
Boffin by Agnon February 11, 2023
Word of the Day on October 3, 2026

Pee Calculus

When you have to pee in a movie but don’t want to miss anything, and must do the following mental equation: will the amount I have to pee cause enough discomfort to diminish my attention capacity for the remainder of the movie to an extent which is greater than the amount of the movie I would miss by making a mad dash to the restroom.
I saw Satantango last night, wonderful film but by the 5th hour I had to start doing pee calculus.
Pee Calculus by anorlondo October 1, 2026
Word of the Day on October 2, 2026
Literally "dirty" pronounced with a West Indian accent. Can also have a positive connotation, for example Sean Paul's album title "Dutty Rock".
"The girl is pretty but she corrupt and dutty!"

or, in a positive usage:

"Booya! That freestyle was dutty!"
Dutty by J Hall April 3, 2003
Word of the Day on October 1, 2026
Ajumma wait a moment
Ajumma by aintnotinbutnice July 5, 2009
Word of the Day on September 30, 2026
Load more