Peeler

Peeler

Noun · /ˈpiːlər/ · a tool or person that peels; British slang for a police officer

Definition

Two meanings: 1. A kitchen tool designed to remove the thin outer skin from fruits and vegetables — a potato peeler, a vegetable peeler. 2. (British historical slang) A police officer — named after Sir Robert Peel, who founded the Metropolitan Police in 1829. The slang sense is now mostly historical but remains well-known in British culture.

Origin

Sense 1: from peel + -er (agent suffix), meaning the thing that peels. Simple, transparent word formation. Sense 2: from Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), British Prime Minister who established the modern police force. Officers were called Peelers (and Bobbies from his first name Robert). Peeler was common in the 19th century and remains understood today, though Bobby is more familiar.