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    What is the origin of the saying 'Son of a Gun'?

    Question #27418. Asked by jim. (Jan 30 03 7:22 PM)


    Baloo55th

    		Born on board a ship, but of uncertain paternity. Women weren't always regarded as bad luck on board ship, and weren't always the wives of the sailors, but sometimes, shall we say, professional. Contraception was rather chancy in those days, so accidents did happen.

    Jan 30 03, 7:29 PM
    Senior Moments

    		Brewers has the following explanation - This familiar designation, originally implying contemptbut nowused with friendly familiarity, derives from the the days when women were allowed to live in naval ships. The 'son of a gun' was born in the ship, often near the midship gun, behind a canvass screen. If paternity was uncertain the child was entered in the log as 'Son of a gun'

    Jan 30 03, 10:23 PM
    Siskin

    		Brewer's says:'This familiar designation implying contempt but now used with jocular familiarity derives from the days when women were allowed to live in naval ships.

    The 'son of a gun' was one born in the ship, often near the midship gun, behind a canvas screen. If paternity was uncertain the child was entered in the log as 'Son of a gun'.

    Jan 30 03, 10:25 PM

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