son of a gun

son of a gun
pl. sons of guns. Slang.
1. rogue; rascal; scoundrel: That son of a gun still owes me $20.
2. a tiresome or disagreeable matter, chore, etc.
3. (used as an affectionate greeting, term of address, etc.): Charlie Humpelmeyer, you old son of a gun, how are you?
4. (used as an exclamation of irritation, surprise, dismay, etc.).
[1700-10; perh. orig. the illegitimate offspring of a soldier, though later influenced by Brit. argot gun thief; cf. GUN MOLL]

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  • Son of a gun — is a slang term present in American and British English which can be used approvingly, disparagingly or to express surprise.OriginsBritish EnglishIn British naval slang this term refers to a child of questionable parentage conceived on the gun… …   Wikipedia

  • son of a gun — {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. A bad person; a person not liked. * /I don t like Charley; keep that son of a gun out of here./ Syn.: BAD ACTOR. 2. A mischievous rascal; a lively guy. Often used in a joking way. * /The farmer said he would catch the son of …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • son of a gun — {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. A bad person; a person not liked. * /I don t like Charley; keep that son of a gun out of here./ Syn.: BAD ACTOR. 2. A mischievous rascal; a lively guy. Often used in a joking way. * /The farmer said he would catch the son of …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Son of a Gun — «Son of a Gun» Canción de The Vaselines EP Son of a Gun Publicación 1987 Género …   Wikipedia Español

  • son of a gun — n [singular] AmE spoken 1.) a man you like or admire used humorously ▪ Duke, you old son of a gun, how are you? 2.) a man that you are annoyed with ▪ Somebody go tell that son of a gun we re all waiting here. 3.) an object that is difficult to… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • son of a gun — noun count OLD FASHIONED a man whose behavior is surprising, usually in a way that you do not like son of a gun used for expressing surprise …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • son of a gun — • son of a gun • son of a bitch a person, used as an exclamation I wish that that son of a bitch would stop using my camera without asking me …   Idioms and examples

  • son of a gun — ► son of a gun (pl. sons of guns informal a jocular way of addressing or referring to someone. [ORIGIN: with reference to the guns carried on ships: said to have been applied originally to babies born at sea to women allowed to accompany their… …   English terms dictionary

  • son of a gun — n. Slang a euphemistic alteration of SON OF A BITCH: a much milder term, with overtones of indulgence, familiarity, etc. when used of a person …   English World dictionary

  • son of a gun — son′ of a gun′ n. pl. sons of guns. Slang. rogue; rascal • Etymology: 1700 …   From formal English to slang

  • son of a gun — 1. n. a despicable person, usually a male. (Euphemistic for son of a bitch.) □ If that son of a gun thinks he can boss me around like that, he’s got another think coming. □ Some son of a gun tried to sell me a used car with no engine. 2. n. old… …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

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