[Ads-l] Antedating of "Bazooka"

Peter Reitan pjreitan at HOTMAIL.COM
Sat Dec 31 20:33:05 UTC 2022


I have a history of “bazooka” and “kazoo” on my blog.

https://esnpc.blogspot.com/2017/05/bazoo-kazoo-bazooka-from-playful.html

The earliest example of “bazooka,” for the hand-held rocket launcher, is January 1, 1943.

“There is one weapon which, with typical Yankee impudence, already has been nicknamed the “Bazooka,” because of its resemblance to Comedian Bob Burns’ famous musical instrument.”

Detroit Free Press, January 1, 1943.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10385055/detroit-free-press/

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From: Shapiro, Fred<mailto:fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
Sent: Saturday, December 31, 2022 11:14 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU<mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Antedating of "Bazooka"

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Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
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Subject:      Antedating of "Bazooka"
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bazooka (OED, 2., 1943 [15 Oct.])

1943 Yank 7 May 11  Recently made known to the public was Ordnance's latest=
 giant killer, known as the Bazooka.

Fred Shapiro

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