whizz-bang
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A small calibre shell from World War I.
Register: slang
Examples
Some other new chaps started blazing away, too. Fritz retaliated with machine-guns and whizz-bangs. No casualties.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “whizz-bang” mean?
A small calibre shell from World War I.
Is “whizz-bang” formal or informal?
whizz-bang is generally slang.