Son of a gunSon of a gun : PhrasesMeaning: Exclamation of disbelief. Example: I'll be a son of a gun. I didn't think you could keep a job for more than six months. Origin: In the past it was one of contempt and derision derived from the fact that it described a special type of illegitimate child. In the old days civilian women were allowed to live on naval ships; many became pregnant and had their child on board, usually near the midship gun behind a canvas screen. If the father was unknown, then the male child was recorded in the ship's log as a son of a gun. Phrases Index | ||
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