“In British English (mostly slang level), word nick may also refer to a prison or a police station, but at the same time it may also mean to steal. While I can make a guess that a prison cell is a small hollow place (of sort) and hence further a police station may be called a nick, I’m puzzled as to the meaning to steal. How could it have come about?”
I think that a double warning is necessary for those kids, that being:
“In British English (mostly slang level), word nick may also refer to a prison or a police station, but at the same time it may also mean to steal. While I can make a guess that a prison cell is a small hollow place (of sort) and hence further a police station may be called a nick, I’m puzzled as to the meaning to steal. How could it have come about?”
I think that a double warning is necessary for those kids, that being:
You should not tit around while nicking.