Word
bobby
Phoneticsbob·by
US/ˈbɑbi/
UK/bˈɒbi/
Definitions
01a name
n. a common short name or nickname for Robert.
n. a common hypocorism or diminutive form of the male given name Robert.
“Everyone in the office calls him Bobby instead of Robert.”
“The biography explores the early life of Bobby Kennedy, focusing on his relationship with his older brother during their formative years.”
Informal
02a police officer
n. a traditional word for a police officer in the UK.
n. a colloquial term for a police officer, specifically within the context of British law enforcement.
“The tourist asked a friendly bobby for directions to the museum.”
“The image of the British bobby on the beat remains a powerful cultural symbol, despite significant changes in modern policing methods.”
British English · Informal
Usage
Usually refers to a uniformed constable patrolling on foot.
Teaching tip
This term is somewhat old-fashioned but still widely understood; it is derived from Sir Robert Peel, who established the Metropolitan Police.
03a young calf
n. a very young calf that is sold for meat.
n. a calf that is slaughtered shortly after birth, typically within its first month of life.
“The farmer had to sell the bobby calves at the local market.”
“The dairy industry faces ongoing scrutiny regarding the management and transport of bobby calves destined for processing.”
Technical · Dialect
Usage
Commonly used in agricultural contexts in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Bob + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/bobby