Meanings
- USPolice code for murder, in the State of California.
- USbroadlyMurder.
[…] and Snoop Dogg blatantly rapped about doing "187 on an undercover cop" on [….]
2003, Mark Anthony Neal, Songs in the Key of Black Life: A Rhythm and Blues Nation, page 1644 more examples
A code one-eight-seven on Jefferson one-four-eight-nine. Corner store—7-Eleven." A 187 was a homicide, Jefferson, the other side of town. ...
1992, Ian Slater, WW III: Warshot, page 148Paco came across a wall that, in the large block letters of local Hispanic gang graffiti, spelled out “187 Domingo.” This was the ultimate threat for Paco [….]
2004, Malcolm W. Klein, Gang Cop: The Words and Ways of Officer Paco Domingo, page 131Perp at this address is a possible One-eight-seven P. Request a unit respond Code Three." The RTO came back immediately and put out the call division-wide.
2004, Stephen J. Cannell, Vertical Coffin, page 256Respond to a one-eight-seven at nine-eight-six Cove Road North," the dispatcher continued in her heavy southern drawl. "10-4... En route.[….]
2004, Cash Pawley, Pray for Death, page 21
Origin
Named after section 187 of the California Penal Code, which defines the offense of murder.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
187. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/187
“187.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/187. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “187,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/187.
Source: 187 on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.