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The term half-cock is as old as flintlock guns and appears in print from about the mid 18th century; "The gun being at Half-Cock, the Spring acts upon the Tumbler with more Advantage."
The earliest known use of the phrase 'going off at half-cock' comes from London and Its described, in 1761 as "Some arms taken at Bath in the year 1715, distinguished from all others in the Tower, by having what is called dog locks; that is, a kind of lock with a catch to prevent their going off at half-cock."
We now commonly use 'go off at half-cock' or, in America, 'go off half-cocked', to mean 'speak or act impulsively and without the right preparation'. And therefore this clearly alludes to the sudden discharge of a firearm. Despite that, the first use of the phrase had a completely different meaning. When the 'half-cocked' was used it was supposedly to mean tipsy, or half-drunk.
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What does half cocked mean?
To "go off half-cocked" is a reference to older firearms that required a hammer to be cocked in order to spark the powder that fired the projectile. These cocking mechanisms typically had two settings, a half-cock and a full-cocked position. The half-cock position was for loading and would not allow the gun to fire by pulling the trigger. When loading was completed, the hammer was pulled back to the full-cock position and the trigger-safety was disengaged. Going off "half-cocked" is a reference to a firearm discharging prior to it being ready. If you "go off half-cocked" it means that you attempt something without proper preparation or aforethought.
What is the definition of half-crocked?
half-crocked means half-drunk You may also mean HALF COCKED, which means to do something hurriedly. Think of a pistol -- to go off half cocked means it wasn't fully ready.
What does half cocked Hattie mean?
It's your mum's stripper name.
What is the definition of half crocked?
"Half crocked" is a colloquial term that means slightly intoxicated or tipsy, usually referring to someone who has consumed alcohol but is not completely drunk.
Can a rossi 38 revolver be half cocked?
No. Half cock is a feature of single action revolvers, most Rossis are double action.
What does 'go off half cock' mean?
It's "half cocked." It's a firearms reference. You can't shoot an old-fashioned pistol without cocking it. If you only halfway cock it, it won't fire properly, so "going off half cocked" means you jumped the gun and leaped before you looked.
What actors and actresses appeared in Half-Cocked - 1994?
The cast of Half-Cocked - 1994 includes: Stanley Gallimore as Stan from the Grifters Steve Gamboa Tripp Lamkins as Tripp from the Grifters Sean Meadows as Jackson John Moses as Moses Jeff Mueller as Jeff Cynthia Neilson as Cynthia Jason Noble as Jason Dave Shouse as Dave from the Grifters Ian Svenonius
How can you use the word cocked in a sentence?
A single-action revolver requires the hammer to be cocked before pulling the trigger to fire. Some types of hats are designed to be worn cocked at an angle.
How long can you leave an air rifle cocked?
You should not leave a air rifle cocked for longer than is necessary to shot it. Over time the spring will deform it it is left cocked for a long period of time.
How do you begin a sentence using the word so?
So many headlines have been made out of so little information. So often, we run off half-cocked.
What does the phrase locked and cocked mean?
Locked and cocked is a term usually associated with a firearm, although it is usually said "Cocked and Locked". This refers to arming the firearm, that is the gun has a bullet chambered and the hammer is cocked and the gun will fire if the trigger is pulled. Locked means the safety is engaged. Cocked, locked and ready to rock is a longer version of the phrase. It just means you are ready. You are fully prepared to do what needs to be done.
Are falcons pets?
if u get cocked
