12

The slang term “12” is commonly used in urban communities to refer to law enforcement or police officers.

In more detail, “12” is derived from the fictional television show “Adam-12,” which aired in the late 1960s and early 1970s and followed the lives of two police officers. The term has since been adopted by various communities to discreetly communicate the presence or actions of law enforcement officials in public settings or to warn others of potential police activity.

Example 1: “I heard 12 is patrolling the neighborhood tonight, so make sure to keep a low profile.”

Example 2: “We were just about to start the party when 12 showed up at the door, so we had to quickly put everything away.”