Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

keystone-kop

noun

/ˈkiːstoʊn kɒp/

Definition

A member of a fictional group of bumbling police officers from early 20th-century silent films.

Examples

The movie was a classic example of a comedy featuring a keystone-kop chasing after the villain.
The hotel’s security team was more like a bunch of keystone-kops, making the situation worse instead of better.
The comedy troupe’s skit about the keystone-kops had the audience rolling in laughter.

Meaning

The term refers to characters who are incompetent and often create more chaos than they prevent, reflecting foolishness and clumsiness in law enforcement.