TOMMYGUN Meaning and
Definition
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Tommygun, also known as a Tommy gun or a Thompson submachine gun, is a type of portable automatic firearm that was developed in the early 20th century. It was named after its primary inventor, John T. Thompson, who designed and patented the weapon in 1919.
The Tommygun is characterized by its compact size, relatively high rate of fire, and use of pistol ammunition. It typically has a vertical foregrip and a drum or box magazine that can hold a large number of rounds, usually .45 ACP cartridges. This design feature allows for sustained fire without frequent reloading.
Originally intended for military use, the Tommygun gained notoriety during the prohibition era in the United States (1920s-1930s) when it became a favored weapon among both law enforcement and organized crime groups. Its rapid-fire capability made it highly effective in close-quarter combat and its distinctive appearance helped solidify its presence in popular culture.
In modern times, the Tommygun has largely been replaced by more advanced firearms, but it remains an iconic symbol of the Roaring Twenties and the era of gangsters and prohibition. It is often seen in movies, video games, and other forms of media that depict the era. Despite its historical significance, the Tommygun is now primarily known as a collector's item or a cultural reference, rather than a commonly used firearm.
Common Misspellings for TOMMYGUN
- rommygun
- fommygun
- gommygun
- yommygun
- 6ommygun
- 5ommygun
- timmygun
- tkmmygun
- tlmmygun
- tpmmygun
- t0mmygun
- t9mmygun
- tonmygun
- tokmygun
- tojmygun
- tomnygun
- tomkygun
- tomjygun
- tommtgun
- tommggun
Etymology of TOMMYGUN
The word "tommygun" is a colloquial term used mainly in North America to refer to the Thompson submachine gun, which was widely used during the Prohibition era in the 1920s and 1930s. The etymology of "tommygun" traces back to the name of its inventor, John T. Thompson.
The Thompson submachine gun, also known as the Tommy gun, was patented by John T. Thompson in 1920. The weapon quickly gained a reputation due to its use by criminals during the Prohibition era, notably by gangsters like Al Capone and John Dillinger. The media, particularly newspapers and movies, often referred to the weapon as the "Tommy gun", associating it with the criminal activities of the time.
The term "Tommy" itself is a diminutive form of "Thomas".
