compare from a few hundreds years ago to present day meaning....?
2007-06-03 05:24:13 · 6 answers · asked by Private 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
A "loose cannon" is someone that runs around causing havoc, with noone able to stop him.
In the old days, if a cannon on a ship got loose from its bearings, it would cause a lot of destruction, as the cannons were cast iron while the ships were wood. It could even cause the ship to sink.
Today, a "loose cannon" is also known as a George W. Bush.
2007-06-03 05:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Loose Cannon Meaning
2016-10-05 12:08:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes from the age of sea warfare, when cannons were the primary weapon on most warships. When a cannon is fired, it has a large recoil, and would want to fly backward. For this reason, cannons were tied down to the decks, so that they would remain in place while firing. If a cannon were fired on the close packed decks, and not tied down properly, it could cause large amount of damage to the ship. A loose cannon could threaten the crew and ship. Thus, the term a loose cannon is a person who can cause a lot of damage to those around them.
2007-06-03 05:30:15 · answer #3 · answered by patrickstar3008 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means someone is dangerous, out of control and unpredictable. It comes from the image of a cannon on board ship coming loose from its fastenings and rolling about as the ship tosses in the waves. You don't know where it's going, and it's very hard to stop it. Pretty scary thought, especially if it has a burning fuse when it breaks loose!
2007-06-03 05:27:26 · answer #4 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
what does the saying "Loose cannon" mean and where does it originate from?
compare from a few hundreds years ago to present day meaning....?
2015-08-10 16:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Means your kinda not stable. Like easily angered. From back in the day when cannons were packed incorrectly and when set off they went wherever not the intended target . It means unpredictable in a bad way
2007-06-03 05:28:19 · answer #6 · answered by Michelle K 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is when one is out of control, just as when it happened when a cannon became unchained.
2007-06-03 05:29:22 · answer #7 · answered by caro 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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She is not critizing anyone, you are very aggressive SPEAK. Yeah they say loose because they don't know anything about spellings.
2016-04-06 05:27:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋