10 Gun Terms We Need in the Dictionary

by
posted on August 30, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg

The crack team of linguists at Oxford University recently rolled out dozens of accepted new “words” in its official online dictionary, including gems like "manspreading" and "wine o’clock." Despite the fact gun terminology is far more precise and widely accepted, there are no firearm-related terms in the list.  

Here’s the list of new words and definitions. You may find some funny until I start using hangry (“n. bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger”) and cupcakery blogs. Because gun lingo is glaringly absent I’m compiling a list to submit to the editors. Feel free to add your suggestions in the comment section—I’d love to e-mail a couple thousand terms for their academic study. And the American Rifleman editors will award nominal prizes for their favorite entries (please keep them family friendly, folks).   

The first few are probably familiar, but the others required some serious research.

tupperware (n., adj.)—polymer-framed handgun, typically associated with Glocks.

pocket warmer (n.)—handgun small enough to fit in a storage space on a gentleman’s trousers.

bottom feeder (n.)—magazine-fed semi-automatic handgun.

noodlemaster (n.)—shooter demonstrably accomplished at limp-wristing a handgun.    

boogerhook (n.)—finger that keeps finding its way to the trigger, at the wrong times.

tactlberry (n.)—annoying guy or gal hanging around the range wearing the latest high-speed gear, doling out advice and never stepping up to the firing line.

fabritoid (n.)—self-propagating, blinking-of-an-eye lie recited by gun-hating politicians and media until people believe it.

gunackery (n.)—retail store with sweet deals on firearms. [Hey, if they can have cupcackery….this is only just desserts]

glogger (n.)—gun blogger [replaces antiquated entry for firearm blogger]

copmeister (n.)—shooter who feels his concealed handgun constantly in public.

 

 

 

Latest

Hk Cc9 GOTW 1
Hk Cc9 GOTW 1

Gun of the Week: Heckler & Koch CC9

The Heckler & Koch CC9 isn't merely just another micro-compact. It's the result of a significant amount of work on the part of the company's US subsidiary to create the first truly American-made HK.

The Armed Citizen® May 22, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Political Report | Braced Pistols’ Status Unresolved

The U.S. Supreme Court has characterized handguns as the “quintessential” Second Amendment arm. Pistol braces increase accuracy and ease of operation for large-format handguns, especially for users suffering from physical disabilities.

The PROOF Research PXT: A New Approach to Barrel Rifling

PROOF Research has introduced PROOF eXponential Twist (PXT)—an advancement in rifling that improves durability, accuracy and shootability—to the commercial market.

Review: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Heatseeker

Back when American Rifleman reviewed Springfield's Model 2020 Waypoint, we noted that we ...couldn’t help but wonder if a tactical-version Model 2020 rifle might be a logical future offshoot of the Waypoint hunting rifle." With the Model 2020 Heatseeker, that version is finally here.

Marlin Goes Mad: The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin’s latest Model 1894 lever-action rifle, a collaboration with Mad Pig Customs that is a far cry from traditional, delivers “modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.