Where does the expression going off half-cocked come from?
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Where does the expression going off half-cocked come from?
From the days of flintlock and caplock firearms, where the half-cock position of the hammer was both a rudimentary safety, and the proper position for priming the pan or inserting a percussion cap. The phrase was originally rendered, “to go off at half-cock.”
What’s another word for half-cocked?
What is another word for half-cocked?
| premature | hasty |
|---|---|
| precipitous | previous |
| untimely | impetuous |
| inopportune | too soon |
| half-baked | jumping the gun |
What is the meaning of half-cock?
Definition of half cock 1 : the position of the hammer of a firearm when about half retracted and held by the sear so that it cannot be operated by a pull on the trigger. 2 chiefly British : a state of inadequate preparation or mental confusion go off at half cock.
What is the point of half cocking a pistol?
The purpose of the half-cock position has variously been used either for loading a firearm, as a safety mechanism, or for both reasons. The still commonly used English expression of “going off half-cocked” derives from failing to complete the cocking action, leading to the weapon being unable to fire.
What do you mean by onslaught?
Definition of onslaught : an especially fierce attack the tremendous onslaught across the Rhine— Sir Winston Churchill also : something resembling such an attack an onslaught of technological changes Employers are expecting an onslaught of recent college graduates.
What does half cooked mean?
half-cooked in British English adjective. not cooked thoroughly.
Can a gun go off half cocked?
The only way to get out of half cock is to pull the hammer a little further back and pull the trigger. The pistol is cocked (full cock) and ready to fire. This is a single action pistol, meaning you have to pull the hammer back manually before every shot.
What is a gun flint?
Definition of gunflint : a small sharp flint fashioned to ignite the priming in a flintlock.
Is onslaught a bad word?
Onslaught is a military term that refers to an attack against an enemy. One way to help you remember the brutal meaning of onslaught is through the word’s English origin, slaught, meaning “slaughter.” But onslaught can be used in non-military ways, too.