Vince Brannigan wrote in message ...
Bill Schnakenberg wrote:
Ogden Johnson III wrote:

"Njord" wrote:



Hmm, replying to my own post. But wondering if this has anything to
do with
the expression 'to pull the pin'?



Hand grenade pins and belaying pins have nothing in common.

Nor do police badges. In PD jargon (at least in the NYPD), 'to pull the
pin' means to retire. In olden days, the badge was secured to the
uniform with a large separate safety pin. Later badges had a pin as an
integral part of the badge. Pulling the pin meant that the badge was
removed forever.


I never heard any NYPD person refer to it as anything other than a "shield"

But, that's only because NYPD can't really be compared to
any other police force in the nation. Since NYPD
is a quasi-military force not a police force.

Or as probably the true statement that was ever said about
New York City goes:

Don't worry about looking for the Lost and Found Department
in New York since you're lost in Hell.




vince