noun

roscoe

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Roscoe (noun) means slang for a handgun, especially a revolver. Example: “In the old gangster film, the detective pulled out his roscoe before kicking down the door.”

noun

Slang for a handgun, especially a revolver.

"In the old gangster film, the detective pulled out his roscoe before kicking down the door."

"Why, it was nothing to travel about the country with fifty grand worth of ice on me. Suppose I hadn’t packed a roscoe—hell, I’d of been hoisted once a week!" — Leslie Charteris, Saint Errant (1948)

How to use roscoe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishOld-fashioned slang for a gun, mostly associated with 1930s-40s crime films and pulp novels.

When to use it

Dated slang — you'll mostly see it in vintage crime fiction rather than everyday speech.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: roscoes

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

In the old gangster film, the detective pulled out his _____ before kicking down the door.

Etymology

Origin unclear; it appears to come from the personal name Roscoe and was popular in early 20th-century American slang, especially in crime fiction.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 roscoe joined the language around 1900.

addictive Alfredo Alyssa antsy applesauce

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Rhymes for roscoe

OE toe foe doe roe Joe hoe woe Zoe moe soe Coe

See all rhymes for roscoe →

Frequently asked questions

What does “roscoe” mean?

The word “roscoe” means slang for a handgun, especially a revolver. In plain terms, old-fashioned slang for a gun, mostly associated with 1930s-40s crime films and pulp novels.

How do you use “roscoe” in a sentence?

Here is “roscoe” used in a sentence: “In the old gangster film, the detective pulled out his roscoe before kicking down the door.”

What part of speech is “roscoe”?

“Roscoe” is a noun.

Where does the word “roscoe” come from?

The word “roscoe” dates back to around 1900. Origin unclear; it appears to come from the personal name Roscoe and was popular in early 20th-century American slang, especially in crime fiction.