cap pistol: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowColloquial, Everyday
Quick answer
What does “cap pistol” mean?
A toy gun that makes a loud popping sound when a small explosive cap is struck by the hammer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A toy gun that makes a loud popping sound when a small explosive cap is struck by the hammer.
The term can metaphorically refer to something that appears threatening or significant but is ultimately harmless or ineffectual.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties, but 'cap gun' is slightly more common in AmE. BrE might more specifically refer to 'cap pistol' as the revolver-style version.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of childhood play and historical toys. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Usage has declined significantly in both varieties with the decrease in popularity of such toys.
Grammar
How to Use “cap pistol” in a Sentence
[child] played with a cap pistol[cap pistol] went bangload a [cap pistol] with capsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cap pistol” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He cap-pistolled his way around the garden, pretending to be a cowboy.
American English
- The kids were cap-pistoling all afternoon, driving the dog crazy.
adjective
British English
- His cap-pistol antics were more noisy than threatening.
American English
- The debate had a cap-pistol quality—lots of sound, little impact.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical or cultural studies of childhood.
Everyday
Describing old toys, childhood memories, or metaphorically describing empty threats.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cap pistol”
- Confusing it with a 'water pistol' or 'nerf gun'. Using it to refer to any toy gun (it's a specific type).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While generally safe toys, the small explosive caps can be a minor fire hazard or cause very small burns. They are not considered dangerous like real firearms.
A cap pistol uses explosive caps to create sound and sometimes a flash. A water pistol squirts water. They are different types of toy guns.
Yes, though they are less common than in the mid-20th century. They are still sold as nostalgic or classic toys.
It metaphorically describes a person or thing that makes a lot of noise (threats, promises) but has no real power or consequence, just as the toy makes a bang but doesn't fire a bullet.
A toy gun that makes a loud popping sound when a small explosive cap is struck by the hammer.
Cap pistol is usually colloquial, everyday in register.
Cap pistol: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkæp ˌpɪs.təl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæp ˌpɪs.təl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's/He's] all cap pistol and no bang. (Metaphorical: full of bluster but no substance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CAP (small explosive disc) + PISTOL (handgun). A pistol that fires caps, not bullets.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NOISY THREAT IS A CAP PISTOL (suggests something that sounds dangerous but isn't).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cap pistol' primarily?