Gunner
/ˈɡʌnər/
A gunner is primarily a person who operates a gun in the military, but the term can also refer to an aggressive scorer in sports or, in slang, someone who injects drugs.
Examples
- The coach praised the gunners for their relentless attacks.
- The team needed a reliable gunner to finish their chances.
- The clinic treats former gunners trying to quit heroin.
- The helicopter's gunner provided cover fire during the extraction.
- The gunners opened fire at dawn.
Meanings
Derived in the 17th century from the word gun, referring to a firearm or artillery piece, combined with the English suffix -er, which denotes a person who performs an action. Originally referred to someone who managed or fired cannons.
Examples
- The gunner quickly loaded the next round.
- She served as a gunner in the armored division.
- The gunners opened fire at dawn.
- He was wounded while acting as a gunner on a tank.
- The helicopter's gunner provided cover fire during the extraction.
Adopted in the 20th century from the military sense, drawing a metaphorical link between firing a weapon and shooting goals in sports. Reinforced by the aggressive, rapid-fire style of play.
Examples
- The rookie proved to be a deadly gunner on the power play.
- He's not a playmaker, but he's a pure gunner.
- The coach praised the gunners for their relentless attacks.
- As a gunner, she led the league in shots on goal.
- The team needed a reliable gunner to finish their chances.
Emerging in mid-20th century American slang, this sense draws a metaphorical connection between the act of shooting up drugs and firing a gun. The term reflects cultural imagery linking violence and drug use.
Examples
- The clinic treats former gunners trying to quit heroin.
- He went from being a soldier to a gunner on the streets.
- Many gunners face serious health risks from needle use.
- The documentary followed the lives of three young gunners.
- She used to be a gunner, but she's been clean for two years.