slung shot

noun

1. a weight, as a stone or a piece of metal, fastened to a short strap, chain, or the like, and used as a weapon.

slung shot

noun

1. a weight attached to the end of a cord and used as a weapon

Word History and Origins

Origin of slung shot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

But all three found their after burners as they slung shot around the turn.

From New York Times

Slung′-shot, a weight attached to a cord, used as a weapon.

From Project Gutenberg

The principal witness testified that "by the aid of the brightly shining moon, he saw the prisoner inflict the death-blow with a slung shot."

From Project Gutenberg

For twelve years these fraternities added to the excitement of a city where it was noted that "a man cannot walk home of an evening without his head being round all quarters at once, on the lookout for a slung shot."

From Time Magazine Archive

Fortunately his way home lay through a dark and lonely street; in the most obscure part of that street, I quickened my steps until I overtook him—and just as he was about to turn around to see who followed him, I gave him a tremendous blow on his right temple with a heavy slung shot, and he fell to the earth without a groan.

From Project Gutenberg