[Ads-l] [Non-DoD Source] Re: locked and loaded, loaded and locked

[MULLINS, WILLIAM D (Bill) CIV USARMY RDECOM AMRDEC (US)]

> 
> I see there's some relevant discussion on the Way With Words forum...
> 
> https://www.waywordradio.org/discussion/topics/load-and-lock-vs-lock-and-load/
> 
> From one commenter: "Lock and load is precisely the sequencing used for loading a flintlock. The flintlock is first placed at the half-cock
> (i.e., at the locked) position, and is then loaded."
> 
> Source:
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AFlintlock#Origin_of_.22Lock_and_Load.22
> 
> 

It's interesting how several idioms/phrases have survived a centuries-obsolete technology -- lock and load, go off half-cocked, flash in the pan.

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