Cop vs. Sop: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
A cop is a slang term for a police officer who enforces the law, while a sop refers to a concession or appeasement given to mollify someone, typically seen as trivial or insincere.
Key Differences
A cop, short for "police officer," refers to a member of a law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public order, preventing and investigating crimes, and ensuring community safety. A sop, on the other hand, is something given to appease or pacify someone, often perceived as a minor concession. Sops are typically offered to mollify complaints or concerns without making substantial changes.
In terms of function, a cop's role is active and authoritative, involving direct interaction with the public and potential enforcement actions. Meanwhile, a sop is more passive, serving as a strategic gesture to address grievances or discontent without altering the status quo significantly.
The term "cop" is widely recognized and used informally to refer to police officers, whereas "sop" is less common in everyday language and often found in formal or business contexts, where it denotes a pacifying measure.
Cops are integral to law enforcement and public safety, with clearly defined duties and responsibilities. Sops, however, are typically seen as temporary solutions or superficial appeasements, lacking the depth or impact of more substantial changes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Slang for police officer
Minor concession to appease someone
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Role
Enforces law and maintains order
Pacifies or mollifies without major change
Authority
Legal authority to arrest and detain
No formal authority
Usage
Informal, everyday language
Formal, business, or strategic contexts
Function
Active and authoritative
Passive and appeasing
Cop and Sop Definitions
Cop
Slang for a police officer.
The cop patrolled the neighborhood to ensure safety.
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Sop
Something intended to mollify complaints.
The bonus was seen as a sop to quiet the dissatisfied employees.
Cop
An officer responsible for preventing crime.
The cop investigated the burglary report.
Sop
A minor concession given to appease someone.
The manager offered an extra day off as a sop to the staff.
Cop
A member of a law enforcement agency.
She wanted to become a cop to help her community.
Sop
A superficial or token gesture.
The company’s apology was just a sop without real changes.
Cop
A police officer.
Sop
An appeasement measure lacking substance.
The government provided a small tax cut as a sop to voters.
Cop
One that regulates certain behaviors or actions
"Faced with the world recession of the early 1980s, ... the World Bank ... became a stern economic taskmaster and cop" (Richard J. Barnet).
Sop
To dip, soak, or drench in a liquid; saturate.
Cop
A cone-shaped or cylindrical roll of yarn or thread wound on a spindle.
Sop
To take up by absorption
Sop up water with a paper towel.
Cop
Chiefly British A summit or crest, as of a hill.
Sop
A piece of food soaked or dipped in a liquid.
Cop
To get hold of; gain or win
A show that copped four awards.
Copped a ticket to the game.
Sop
Something yielded to placate or soothe
Remarks that were a sop to conservative voters.
Cop
To perceive by one of the senses
"copped a quick look at the gentleman ... on the right" (Gail Sheehy).
Sop
A bribe.
Cop
To take unlawfully or without permission; steal.
Sop
Something entirely soaked.
Cop
To obtain, to purchase (as in drugs), to get hold of, to take.
Sop
A piece of solid food to be soaked in liquid food.
Cop
(transitive) To (be forced to) take; to receive; to shoulder; to bear, especially blame or punishment for a particular instance of wrongdoing.
When caught, he would often cop a vicious blow from his father.
Sop
Something given or done to pacify or bribe.
Cop
To see and record a railway locomotive for the first time.
Sop
A weak, easily frightened or ineffectual person; a milksop
Cop
(transitive) To steal.
Sop
(Appalachian) Gravy.
Cop
(transitive) To adopt.
No need to cop a 'tude with me, junior.
Sop
(obsolete) A thing of little or no value.
Cop
(transitive) To earn by bad behavior.
Sop
A piece of turf placed in the road as a target for a throw in road bowling.
Cop
To admit, especially to a crime or wrongdoing.
I already copped to the murder. What else do you want from me?
Harold copped to being known as "Dirty Harry".
Sop
(transitive) To steep or dip in any liquid.
Cop
Of a pimp: to recruit a prostitute into the stable.
Sop
(intransitive) To soak in, or be soaked; to percolate.
Cop
(informal) A police officer or prison guard.
Sop
Anything steeped, or dipped and softened, in any liquid; especially, something dipped in broth or liquid food, and intended to be eaten.
He it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.
Sops in wine, quantity, inebriate more than wine itself.
The bounded watersShould lift their bosoms higher than the shores,And make a sop of all this solid globe.
Cop
(obsolete) A spider.
Sop
Anything given to pacify; - so called from the sop given to Cerberus, as related in mythology.
All nature is cured with a sop.
Cop
(crafts) The ball of thread wound on to the spindle in a spinning machine.
Sop
A thing of little or no value.
Garlands of roses and sops in wine.
Cop
(obsolete) The top, summit, especially of a hill.
Sop
To steep or dip in any liquid.
Cop
(obsolete) The crown (of the head); also the head itself.
The stature is bowed down in age, the cop is depressed.
Sop
Piece of solid food for dipping in a liquid
Cop
A roughly dome-shaped piece of armor, especially one covering the shoulder, the elbow, or the knee.
Sop
A concession given to mollify or placate;
The offer was a sop to my feelings
Cop
A tube or quill upon which silk is wound.
Sop
A prescribed procedure to be followed routinely;
Rote memorization has been the educator's standard operating procedure for centuries
Cop
A merlon.
Sop
Give a conciliatory gift or bribe to
Cop
The top of a thing; the head; a crest.
Cop they used to callThe tops of many hills.
Sop
Be or become thoroughly soaked or saturated with a liquid
Cop
A conical or conical-ended mass of coiled thread, yarn, or roving, wound upon a spindle, etc.
Sop
Dip into liquid;
Sop bread into the sauce
Cop
A tube or quill upon which silk is wound.
Sop
Mop so as to leave a semi-dry surface;
Swab the floors
Cop
Same as Merlon.
Sop
Become thoroughly soaked or saturated with liquid
Cop
A policeman.
Sop
Cover with liquid; pour liquid onto;
Souse water on his hot face
Cop
Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
Sop
A placatory offering.
The sop did little to address the underlying issues.
Cop
Take by theft;
Someone snitched my wallet!
Cop
Take into custody;
The police nabbed the suspected criminals
Cop
A person authorized to enforce laws.
The cop issued a ticket for speeding.
Cop
A police official maintaining public order.
The cop managed the crowd during the parade.
FAQs
Is 'cop' a formal term?
No, 'cop' is an informal slang term for police officer.
What is an example of a cop in action?
A cop patrolling a neighborhood and responding to emergencies.
What is a sop?
A sop is a minor concession given to appease or pacify someone.
When is a sop used?
Sops are used to mollify complaints or concerns without substantial changes.
Are sops considered substantial solutions?
No, sops are typically seen as temporary or minor concessions.
Is 'sop' commonly used?
'Sop' is less common in everyday language and used more in formal contexts.
Can sops solve problems?
Sops often address superficial concerns but do not solve underlying issues.
What is a cop?
A cop is a slang term for a police officer responsible for law enforcement.
Do cops have legal authority?
Yes, cops have the legal authority to arrest, detain, and enforce laws.
Can cops use force?
Yes, cops can use force if necessary to enforce the law.
What are the duties of a cop?
Cops maintain public order, prevent crimes, and enforce laws.
Do sops have legal authority?
No, sops do not carry formal authority and are often seen as symbolic gestures.
Are cops involved in crime investigation?
Yes, investigating crimes is a key duty of cops.
Do cops work in public safety?
Yes, cops are essential to maintaining public safety and order.
Do sops have long-term impact?
Sops generally have limited long-term impact as they address immediate concerns.
Is 'cop' widely recognized?
Yes, 'cop' is a widely recognized term for police officers.
Is 'sop' used in business?
Yes, 'sop' is often used in business or strategic contexts to describe appeasing measures.
What is an example of a sop?
A company offering a small bonus to appease unhappy employees.
Can cops arrest people?
Yes, cops have the authority to arrest individuals who break the law.
Can sops be seen as insincere?
Yes, sops can be perceived as insincere or superficial attempts to placate.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
