peelers

[oskhen]

Greetings

Could anyone please help me with the meaning of "peelers" in the third verse of this song: http://www.kinglaoghaire.com/site/lyrics/song_486.html

and the actual meaning of the sentence in the context. It's talking about making the peelers dance, and I've found that "peeler" could mean "striptease", but it seems quite weird to me, since it's about a clock.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[gordon e-d]

Peelers was a slang term for policemen in the 19C
( The police service was originated by Sir Robert Peel)

 

[oskhen]

Peelers was a slang term for policemen in the 19C
( The police service was originated by Sir Robert Peel)

Ah, makes sense, I think. Thank you

 

[Packard]

I am reading a currently published book "In the Morning I'll be Gone" by Adrian McKinty which was published in 2014.

It is set in Northern Ireland during "The Troubles" in the early 1980s. It follows the work of a Detective Inspector. Throughout the novel the police are referred to as "Peelers".

Is this term still in use in Northern Ireland?