General
keuf
What does keuf mean?
Used collectively for the police as an institution.
"Les keufs ont debarque a la teuf. = The cops showed up at the party."
Origin
Banlieue verlan from 'flic', made nationally famous by 1990s rap (notably NTM, whose run-ins with police were legendary) and La Haine, a film centred on police violence. A loaded word reflecting real tensions, not a neutral one.
Frequently asked questions
What does keuf mean?
It's French slang for a police officer, formed by reversing the syllables of 'flic'.
Is keuf an insult?
It isn't a slur, but it is often used with suspicion or contempt given its roots in communities with strained police relations.
Where did keuf come from?
From verlan, the back-slang of the French banlieues, central to 1990s rap and the film La Haine.
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