big bertha: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Historical, Technical (in golf)
Quick answer
What does “big bertha” mean?
A name for a large artillery gun, famously used by Germany in World War I.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A name for a large artillery gun, famously used by Germany in World War I; a nickname for any very large, heavy, or powerful object, machine, or person.
Commonly used as a nickname for a powerful, heavy driver in golf; slang for a large person (usually a woman); a brand of barbecue grill/smoker known for its size; a large, padded sling used for catching people in stunts or emergency drills.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the primary association is with the WWI artillery piece. In the US, while the historical reference is known, 'Big Bertha' is more commonly used in sports (golf) and as a brand name for grills. The personal nickname usage may be slightly more common in American informal speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries connotations of immense size, power, and often a degree of clumsiness or lack of subtlety. When used for a person, it risks being offensive.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. More likely encountered in historical texts, golf commentary, or as a proprietary brand name (grills) in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “big bertha” in a Sentence
be called/nicknamed Big Berthaswing/hit with Big Bertharefer to X as Big BerthaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big bertha” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's got a Big Bertha driver in his bag.
- They faced Big Bertha-like artillery fire.
American English
- She just bought a Big Bertha smoker for the ranch.
- That's a Big Bertha putt you've left yourself.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in sales: 'Our new product is the Big Bertha of the industry.'
Academic
Used in historical/military studies referring to the WWI artillery.
Everyday
Informal nickname for a large object or, carefully, a large person.
Technical
Specific term in golf for a type of oversized driver.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big bertha”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big bertha”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big bertha”
- Using it to describe abstract concepts (e.g., 'a Big Bertha idea'). Using it for a person without clear, affectionate context, which is rude. Misspelling as 'Big Berta'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Originally, it was a nickname. The WWI gun was allegedly named after Bertha Krupp, heiress to the Krupp arms manufacturing company. It is now used as a nickname for people or things.
Extremely cautiously. This usage is often considered impolite and offensive unless you are certain the person herself uses the nickname and the context is clearly affectionate. It's generally best avoided.
Typically, yes, especially when referring to the specific historical gun, the golf club model, or brand names. When used as a general metaphor ('the big bertha of the toolbox'), it is sometimes lowercased.
It functions almost exclusively as a proper noun (a name) or a compound noun. It can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., a Big Bertha driver).
A name for a large artillery gun, famously used by Germany in World War I.
Big bertha is usually informal, historical, technical (in golf) in register.
Big bertha: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbɜːθə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈbɝːθə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pull out the Big Bertha”
- “Bring in the Big Bertha (to mean using the most powerful tool/argument)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a very large woman named BERTHA swinging a HUGE (BIG) golf club that sounds like a cannon when it hits the ball.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIZE IS POWER / A POWERFUL TOOL IS A WEAPON
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern, non-historical use of 'Big Bertha'?