• codexarcanum@lemmy.dbzer0.com
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    16
    ·
    17 hours ago

    Cops. No one knows why.

    One theory is ACAB = 1312 = All Cops Are Bad, so shortened to 12 (why not 13? also the slang predates “acab” popularity.)

    Another is the show Adam-12, about cops.

    • doingthestuff@lemy.lol
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      17 hours ago

      I thought it came from when there’s police going by you tell people to keep their heads at 12. Don’t look at them or they’ll accuse you of being “suspicious” and want to detain you and run your ID for warrants etc