Here are a few OLD SAYINGS with muzzleloading origins... Can you think of any more?
"LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL"
Meaning: The whole thing.
Origin: From the parts that constitute a muzzleloading rifle.
"GOING OFF HALF COCKED"
Meaning: Act hastily.
Origin: Flintlock rifles can be fired from full cock or half cock but only work well from full cock.
"FLASH IN THE PAN"
Meaning: Something which disappoints by being over too quickly.
Origin: Muskets have small pans to hold the gunpowder primer. If that flared up without firing the gun that would be a 'flash in the pan'.
"KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY"
Meaning: Be prepared.
Origin: The allusion is to gun's black powder, which soldiers had to keep dry in order to be ready to fight when required.
"LOCK, STOCK AND BARREL"
Meaning: The whole thing.
Origin: From the parts that constitute a muzzleloading rifle.
"GOING OFF HALF COCKED"
Meaning: Act hastily.
Origin: Flintlock rifles can be fired from full cock or half cock but only work well from full cock.
"FLASH IN THE PAN"
Meaning: Something which disappoints by being over too quickly.
Origin: Muskets have small pans to hold the gunpowder primer. If that flared up without firing the gun that would be a 'flash in the pan'.
"KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY"
Meaning: Be prepared.
Origin: The allusion is to gun's black powder, which soldiers had to keep dry in order to be ready to fight when required.
