burp gun
American military slang, primarily from the Korean War era, for a small submachine gun — typically the Soviet PPSh-41 or similar automatic weapons used by enemy forces.
Definitions
American military slang, primarily from the Korean War era, for a small submachine gun — typically the Soviet PPSh-41 or similar automatic weapons used by enemy forces. The nickname comes from the rapid, staccato burst of fire these guns produce, which sounds uncannily like a mechanical burp. 'Burp gun' is colourful, informal, and tells you everything about how soldiers relate to gear through humour. It appears in war films, memoirs, and military history writing from the mid-20th century.
The veterans described hearing the distinctive rattle of a burp gun in the dark and knowing immediately the kind of trouble headed their way.
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(US, slang) A small submachine gun.
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