The ‘Fuzz’ Alive and Well in Grand Junction

It seems like an outdated word -- like something out of the 70s --but apparently the 'fuzz' is alive and well in Grand Junction.

This photo of a Grand Junction Police car was snapped during the morning commute in Grand Junction. Is it just a strange coincidence that the license plate reads 'fuz', or did the Grand Junction police department get a personalized license plate?

The word "fuzz", as a slang term for police, has actually been around a lot longer than just the 70s.

According to forums.com, the origin of the slang term is uncertain, but American Tramp and  Underworld Slang, published in 1931, says the term 'fuzz' comes from fussy, with the idea that cops were fussy over trifles.

The website offers other possible explanations for the term. It could come from a mishearing of the warning 'Feds!', or it could refer to early police officer who wore beards.

It is also suggested by Evan Morris that 'fuzz' "arose as a term of contempt for police based on the use of 'fuzz' or 'fuzzy' in other items of derogatory criminal slang of the period."

So we don't know exactly where 'fuzz' came from - nor have we heard anyone actually use the slang term in the last 20 years. Have you?

Regardless, it does appear that the "fuzz" is alive and well in Grand Junction, Colorado - as evidenced by the photo.