General
charpering omi
What does charpering omi mean?
In Polari, a police officer. It combines 'charper' (to search or look for, from Italian 'acchiappare', to catch) with 'omi' (man) — a 'searching man'.
"Nanti polari — charpering omi at the door."
Origin
Polari of mid-20th-century Britain under anti-gay laws; 'charper' derives from Italian 'acchiappare' (to catch) and 'omi' from 'uomo' (man), making 'charpering omi' a 'searching man', per Paul Baker's Polari histories.
Frequently asked questions
What does charpering omi mean?
It is Polari for a policeman, literally a 'searching man'.
Where does 'charper' come from?
From Italian 'acchiappare', to catch or seize, borrowed through Parlyaree.
Why was the charpering omi so feared?
Until 1967 sex between men was a crime in Britain, so police could arrest Polari speakers simply for who they were.
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