An American slang term with two closely related senses: a peashooter (a toy tube used to blow small projectiles) and, in dialect use, a slingshot.
An American slang term with two closely related senses: a peashooter (a toy tube used to blow small projectiles) and, in dialect use, a slingshot. Both senses describe low-powered improvised or toy ranged weapons associated with childhood play. The term also has a broader metaphorical use as a dismissive label for any small, underpowered, or unimpressive firearm. The compound follows a straightforward descriptive logic — something that shoots bean-sized projectiles — and reflects a long tradition of American English nicknames for makeshift weapons.
He showed up to the argument with what amounted to a bean-shooter when everyone else had come fully armed.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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Has two related senses: in US dialect, a slingshot, the Y-shaped implement used to launch projectiles; and in slang, a peashooter or a small, unimpressive gun. Both senses emphasize smallness and informal improvised construction. The slingshot sense is regional American dialect, while the small-gun sense is broader slang. Neither is in active widespread contemporary use. The slingshot sense is primarily found in 19th and early 20th century American regional writing; the small-gun sense extended the meaning to any toy or minor weapon.
The kid was running around the yard with a homemade bean-shooter, terrorizing the squirrels.
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(slang) A peashooter; a small or toy gun.
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(US, dialect) A slingshot.
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