Street
roscoe
What does roscoe mean?
A roscoe is a handgun, a jocular hardboiled term popularized by pulp crime fiction.
"He filled his hand with a roscoe and told them all to freeze."
Origin
American slang, 1920s–30s, of uncertain origin; possibly from the surname.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'roscoe' mean?
A roscoe is a handgun, a pistol or revolver. It is a jokey, hardboiled term for a gun.
Where does the word come from?
It is American slang from the 1920s and 1930s, popularized by pulp crime fiction. Its exact origin is uncertain, possibly from the surname Roscoe.
Is 'roscoe' still used?
It is largely dated and appears mostly as period slang, evoking the era of pulp detective and gangster stories.
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