Bazookas

/bəˈzuːkəz/ noun

Definition

Plural of bazooka; portable anti-tank guns used by soldiers, or slang for large tubular objects.

Etymology

Bazooka itself was named humorously by American soldiers in WWII after a musical instrument (a trombone-like toy) played by comedian Bob Burns; the word likely imitated the sound 'ba-zoo-ka,' and soldiers applied it to the new weapon because of its similar tubular shape.

Kelly Says

It's hilarious that one of WWII's most serious weapons got its name from a children's toy—soldiers nicknamed it based on shape and sound, showing how humor and creativity sneak into even grim military situations!

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