noun

roscoe

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."

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.

Word forms

roscoes plural

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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

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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.