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

See Examples For:

kitchen police

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

Men detailed as cooks and waiters, or "kitchen police," as they are denominated in the posts, attended to the preparation and serving of the meals, and the soldiers lived well, indeed.

From Our War with Spain for Cuba's Freedom by White, Trumbull

Each crew in turn became kitchen, police, and dish, during three days, and on the fourth, the off crew.

From McClure's Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 3, August, 1893 by Various

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