thompson submachine gun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical, historical
Quick answer
What does “thompson submachine gun” mean?
A specific model of compact, automatic firearm, designed by John T. Thompson, that fires pistol-caliber cartridges and is fed from a box or drum magazine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific model of compact, automatic firearm, designed by John T. Thompson, that fires pistol-caliber cartridges and is fed from a box or drum magazine.
A portable, fully automatic firearm that became iconic, particularly during the Prohibition and World War II eras in the United States, often associated with gangsters, law enforcement, and military commandos. Colloquially known as a "Tommy Gun."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical, but historical context differs; it has stronger association with American gangsters and WWII US troops than with British forces, though it saw some British use.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes 1920s-1940s history. In American English, it has a stronger 'gangster'/'law enforcement' dichotomy. In British English, it may be slightly more distanced as a historical/foreign object.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE due to its prominence in American history and popular culture.
Grammar
How to Use “thompson submachine gun” in a Sentence
The [subject] armed himself with a Thompson submachine gun.The [museum] displays a [adjective] Thompson submachine gun.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thompson submachine gun” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The commandos were Thompson-ed up for the raid. (informal/historical)
American English
- The mobsters Thompsoned their way into the speakeasy. (highly informal/creative)
adjective
British English
- He had a Thompson-style firearm.
- A Thompson-era gangster.
American English
- The Thompson-toting gangster.
- A classic Thompson look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical arms manufacturing contexts.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, and material culture studies.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation, except when discussing history, films, or firearms.
Technical
Used in firearms manuals, historical weaponry discussions, and military collections.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thompson submachine gun”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thompson submachine gun”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thompson submachine gun”
- Capitalizing 'submachine' (it should be lowercase).
- Omitting 'submachine' and just calling it a 'Thompson gun', which is ambiguous.
- Using 'Thompson' to refer to any submachine gun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Tommy Gun' is the common nickname for the Thompson submachine gun.
Yes, particularly British Commandos and paratroopers in World War II used it, though it was primarily an American design.
It refers to a lightweight, fully automatic firearm that fires pistol-caliber ammunition, as opposed to a heavier machine gun firing rifle cartridges.
This was a slang term from its use by gangsters in Chicago; the sound of its gunfire was likened to the rapid clacking of a typewriter.
A specific model of compact, automatic firearm, designed by John T. Thompson, that fires pistol-caliber cartridges and is fed from a box or drum magazine.
Thompson submachine gun is usually technical, historical in register.
Thompson submachine gun: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɒm(p)sən ˌsʌbməˈʃiːn ɡʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːmpsən ˌsʌbməˈʃiːn ɡʌn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Chopper" (slang, though more general for submachine guns)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
THOMPSON: The "Tommy" Gun Held by Military Police, Soldiers, Hoodlums On Newsreels.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL OF NOTORIETY / AN ICON OF AN ERA.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Thompson submachine gun most iconically associated with in popular culture?