kitchen police

American  

noun

Military.

1. soldiers detailed by roster or as punishment to assist in kitchen duties.

2. duty as assistant to the cooks. K.P.

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kitchen police British  

plural noun

1.  KP.  soldiers who have been detailed to work in the kitchen, esp as a punishment

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Etymology

Origin of kitchen police

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Jimmy Durante got himself made "honorary brigadier general" and honorary head of kitchen police, at Camp Langdon, N.H.

From Time Magazine Archive

One or two privates are detailed daily as kitchen police.

From Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 To be used by Engineer companies (dismounted) and Coast Artillery companies for Infantry instruction and training by United States War Department

The excused list should include in each company only the mess sergeant, the two cooks, one kitchen police, and men on regimental guard.

From Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 To be used by Engineer companies (dismounted) and Coast Artillery companies for Infantry instruction and training by United States War Department

The colonel, therefore, instead of sentencing him to be shot, kicked his buttocks roundly for him and assigned him to kitchen police.

From The Underdogs, a Story of the Mexican Revolution by Munguía, E. (Enrique)

"I think he has," said Peter, "but the trouble is he feels that he's got a permanent assignment on kitchen police."

From The Boy Grew Older by Broun, Heywood