Baby Boomers · 1946–1964 · Authority fuzz

Fuzz

A slang term for police officers or law enforcement.

IN PLAIN ENGLISHThe police
THE VIBERelaxed, countercultural and emphatic
USE IT IN1960s–70s conversation and counterculture
USE IT LIKE THIS

The movie’s getaway driver warned that the fuzz was nearby.

CONTEXT CHECK

Dated slang that can sound disrespectful.

WORD ORIGIN

Associated with 1960s–70s youth culture, music, surf culture and countercultural movements.