bazooka
bazooka Lexical Profile
bazooka Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A portable, shoulder-fired tubular rocket launcher originally developed during the mid-twentieth century for anti-tank defense.
"The historical museum display featured a vintage bazooka alongside other mid-century infantry equipment."
American A novelty brass wind instrument constructed from two telescoping metal tubes and a funnel, played in a manner similar to a trombone.
"The comedian entertained the radio audience by playing folksy tunes on a homemade bazooka."
• Rhymes for bazooka
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the 1930s by American radio comedian Bob Burns for his homemade tubular horn, likely as an alteration of 'bazoo' (slang for mouth or boastful talk). During World War II, soldiers applied the name to the new portable rocket launcher because of its physical resemblance to Burns's novelty instrument.