lespu
lespú with stress marks
police (inversion of pulis)
Usage Note
Lespu is a form of back-slang (baliktad na salita) where 'pulis' is reversed to 'lespu.' It is used in street slang and among younger speakers to refer to police officers, often to avoid detection or simply as playful code-switching.
Examples
" May lespu sa kanto. "
Natural Translation
There are police at the corner.
Literal Translation
Has police at corner.
" May lespu sa labas. "
Natural Translation
There are police outside.
Literal Translation
Has police at outside.
" Tumakbo agad ang mga magnanakaw nang makita nilang dumarating ang lespu sa kabilang kalye. "
Natural Translation
The thieves ran off immediately when they saw the police arriving on the other street.
Literal Translation
Ran immediately the thieves when saw they that arriving the police at other street.
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