Welcome to the Slangpedia entry on “guns”!🔫🎯
Seeking to delve into the varied terminology linked to firearms and weaponry? Whether you’re penning an action-packed narrative or just broadening your lexicon, it’s fascinating to grasp the slang terms, words, and their meanings associated with “piece”, “heat”, or “gat”. Without further ado, here’s our detailed guide to slang terms for ‘gun’, along with related phrases and idioms that revolve around arms and armory:
Heat/Heater
- Meaning: A weapon, often referring to a pistol.
- Usage: “You packing heat?”
- Origin: The term has roots in the 1930s. Noted in 1932 by W.R. BURNETT in Silver Eagle as ‘He don’t even pack a heater.’
Gat
- Meaning: Derived from the Gatling gun, it now refers to almost any type of gun.
- Usage: “I had to stay quiet; the dealers had gats.”
- Origin: Popularized during the prohibition era, specifically relating to the Thompson submachine gun.
Strapped
- Meaning: Carrying a firearm, often concealed.
- Usage: “Better be careful, he’s strapped.”
- Origin: Refers to carrying a concealed weapon, typically an Uzi or similar firearm, on a strap under clothing.
Leng/Lengman
- Meaning: A weapon or someone in possession of one.
- Usage: “Saw those guys from Hackney, so I pulled out my leng.”
- Origin: Primarily used within the London criminal underground network.
Hammer
- Meaning: Typically a pistol.
- Usage: “He didn’t realize I had a hammer on me.”
- Origin: Refers to the gun’s mechanism – the hammer strikes the firing pin, initiating the shot.
Burner
- Meaning: A firearm, often one previously involved in criminal activity.
- Usage: “Bought this burner for cheap. Use and toss.”
- Origin: The term highlights the firearm’s potential to heat up during use.
Piece
- Meaning: A powerful firearm.
- Usage: “Took me a second too long to draw my cannon.”
- Origin: Derived from the historical cannon due to its firepower.
Piece
- Meaning: A gun, often concealed.
- Usage: “Got a reliable piece hidden away, just in case.”
- Origin: The term’s exact origin is unclear, but it’s been used in criminal and police circles for decades, likely due to the inconspicuous nature of the word.
Handgun
- Meaning: A gun designed for one-handed use.
- Usage: “We both reached for our handguns.”
- Origin: This term directly describes the gun’s primary design feature, which is its size and usability in one hand.
Hardware
- Meaning: Referring to one or multiple guns.
- Usage: “That guy’s got some serious hardware.”
- Origin: Likely comes from the gun being considered a tool or “hardware” in various situations, especially illicit activities.
Blaster
- Meaning: A powerful gun, often futuristic or fictional.
- Usage: “Loaded my blaster and aimed.”
- Origin: This term gained popularity from science fiction and space operas like Star Wars.
Revolver
- Meaning: A pistol with revolving chambers.
- Usage: “One shot from the revolver can change everything.”
- Origin: Derived from the gun’s mechanism, where the chambers revolve to align the bullet with the hammer and barrel.
Rod
- Meaning: A pistol.
- Usage: “That rod’s been with me for years.”
- Origin: The exact origin is not crystal clear, but the term was popular in 1940s and 1950s crime fiction and film noir. Its shape and length could explain its association.
Persuader
- Meaning: A firearm used to compel.
- Usage: “No one talks back when the persuader’s in hand.”
- Origin: Directly from the idea that a gun can “persuade” or force someone into compliance.
Tool
- Meaning: A gun.
- Usage: “He’s out looking for a tool; watch out.”
- Origin: Just like “hardware,” a gun is often considered a tool for specific purposes, especially in the underworld.
Iron
- Meaning: Referring to a firearm, typically a handgun.
- Usage: “He’s packing iron, so be cautious.”
- Origin: Likely relates to the material of older guns, which was predominantly iron.
Chopper
- Meaning: Typically refers to an automatic weapon or machine gun.
- Usage: “The gang came in with choppers and took over.”
- Origin: While many link it to the “chop” of a helicopter’s blades (which might remind one of rapid gunfire), it more directly relates to the idea of “chopping” or cutting down enemies with gunfire.
Ratchet
- Meaning: A firearm.
- Usage: “He pulled out the ratchet and the whole room went quiet.”
- Origin: Primarily urban slang, the term’s exact origin is murky but has been used in rap and hip-hop culture.
Boomstick
- Meaning: Shotgun or a powerful firearm.
- Usage: “Grab the boomstick; we got company.”
- Origin: Popularized by the movie “Army of Darkness” where the protagonist, Ash, refers to his shotgun as his “boomstick.”
Slammer
- Meaning: Typically refers to a handgun.
- Usage: “He pulled out a slammer from his coat.”
- Origin: The term possibly derives from the slamming action of a gun’s slide or hammer.
Biscuit
- Meaning: A firearm, often a handgun.
- Usage: “Don’t worry, I’ve got the biscuit right here.”
- Origin: The origins of this term are unclear, but it’s been used colloquially in urban settings.
Roscoe
- Meaning: An old slang term for a handgun.
- Usage: “He flashed his roscoe and the deal went south.”
- Origin: Popular in 1920s and 1930s pulp detective fiction.
Smoke Pole
- Meaning: Refers to a gun, often due to the smoke that emanates post-firing.
- Usage: “After firing the smoke pole, he fled the scene.”
- Origin: Likely from the visual of older guns that would emit smoke after being fired.
Six-Shooter
- Meaning: Typically refers to a revolver with six chambers.
- Usage: “He’s old school, always carries a six-shooter.”
- Origin: Directly related to revolvers that typically have six rounds.
Street Sweeper
- Meaning: Refers to a shotgun, especially an automatic one.
- Usage: “That street sweeper can clear out a room in seconds.”
- Origin: The term implies the capacity of the gun to target multiple foes, akin to a broom sweeping a wide area.
Hawk
- Meaning: Refers to a firearm, commonly a handgun.
- Usage: “Got the hawk in the trunk, just in case.”
- Origin: Its origin is a bit obscure but has been referenced in hip-hop culture.
Lead Dispenser
- Meaning: Any firearm, as they “dispense” bullets made of lead.
- Usage: “He came in, that lead dispenser ready in hand.”
- Origin: Derived from the fact that bullets were traditionally made of lead.
Wand
- Meaning: Refers to a firearm, emphasizing its power.
- Usage: “With a wave of his wand, the entire room froze in fear.”
- Origin: Just like a magician’s wand holds power, so does a gun.
Pole
- Meaning: Refers to a gun, typically a long one.
- Usage: “He grabbed his pole and joined the fray.”
- Origin: Possibly from the long shape of certain guns, akin to a pole.
That’s it for our list of slang phrases for “gun” We hope you’ve found this compilation enlightening. While the world of slang is ever-evolving, these terms have stood the test of time and are universally recognized. If you think we’ve missed any synonyms for “gun”, do let us know in the comments below. Keep expanding your vocabulary!👍😊
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