Limerick
The term 'big shot' originated in the United States around the late 1920s, initially referring to influential individuals, particularly in organized crime. Its roots trace back to the terminology of firearms and mining, where it described large bullets or explosive blasts. Over time, 'big shot' evolved to encompass prominent figures in various fields, including sports and entertainment.
- ▪The term 'big shot' became popular in the US around 1926-7.
- ▪It initially described influential people, especially in criminal organizations.
- ▪The phrase has origins linked to firearms and mining terminology.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Big shot Q From Jim McKelvey: I see that you covered big cheese on your site, but what about big shot? A Ah, another of those “simple” questions. People in the US started to use big shot for a celebrity or for an important or influential person around 1926–7. Within a year it had blossomed into a fashionable slang term with examples appearing everywhere, especially to describe the bosses of criminal gangs — in April 1930, the Lincoln Star of Nebraska remarked, “Unless the memory plays us a trick, Al Capone is the ‘big shot’ of Chicago gangland.” Where it comes from is a surprisingly long story.
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