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The Daily Insight

Where did the saying cheese it the cops come from?

Author

David Ramirez

Published Apr 10, 2026

Where did the saying cheese it the cops come from?

Cheese (“Cheese it—the cops!”) “Cheese it!” was a popular expression in the 19th century, usually a warning from one person to another to stop their current activity because a policeman was approaching (’Cheese it—the cops!”). The expression was used in English slang by at least the 1810s and quickly came to America.

Where did the phrase ” cheese it ” come from?

“Cheese it!” was a popular expression in the 19th century, usually a warning from one person to another to stop their current activity because a policeman was approaching (’Cheese it—the cops!”). The expression was used in English slang by at least the 1810s and quickly came to America.

Where does the fat in cheese come from?

Cheese is a derivative of milk produced in a wide array of textures and flavors which form through the condensation of milk protein called casein. Cheese is made up of fats and proteins from milk, especially from goats, cows, sheep, and buffalo.

Where does the world’s best cheese come from?

We sent a team to Fiscalini Farms in Modesto, California, to learn more about how they make their award-winning cheeses. According to dairy farmer Brian Fiscalini, world-class cheese comes from stellar milk. From there, the cheese travels to the cheese plant and the magic begins.

Where does the saying cheese it the cops come from?

A warning that the police were coming. “Cheese” might be a variant of “cease.” It might also come from the cheese course coming at the end of dinner; in the sense that with nothing else ahead, it’s time to leave.

“Cheese it!” was a popular expression in the 19th century, usually a warning from one person to another to stop their current activity because a policeman was approaching (’Cheese it—the cops!”). The expression was used in English slang by at least the 1810s and quickly came to America.

What kind of cheese is pressed into a hoop?

The curd is pressed into a hoop, which is brined. This occurs with mozzarella and Swiss cheeses. While the cheese is pressed, more whey comes out, so it eventually becomes the shape and consistency of cheeses we know. Once the cheese is shaped, it may be aged for a while before its ready to eat. Want to see it in action?

What makes a cheese look like a cheese?

At this point, the curd is separated from the whey, and it’s time to start making the cheese look more like cheese! Depending on the type of cheese, this can happen one of two ways: The curd is salted, and then it’s pressed in a form. This is the case for Cheddar and Colby cheeses. The curd is pressed into a hoop, which is brined.