Lock, stock, and barrel explained
"Lock, stock, and barrel" is a merism used predominantly in the United Kingdom and North America, meaning "all", "total" or "everything". It derives from the effective portions of a gun: the lock, the stock, and the barrel.
History
The term was first recorded in the letters of Sir Walter Scott in 1817, in the line "Like the High-landman's gun, she wants stock, lock, and barrel, to put her into repair."[1] It is, however, thought that this term evolved into a popular saying some years before in England.[2]
Common uses
Politician Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States under Donald Trump, has heavily favored the phrase since at least 2010[3] [4] when urging for the repeal of Obamacare, and used the phrase extensively during and after the 2016 presidential campaign.[5] [6] [7]
The phrase is also referenced in the title of the British crime film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), as well as in the TV film Lock, Stock and Barrel (1971).
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Lock, Stock and Barrel « The Word Detective . www.word-detective.com.
- See the following website: https://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2019/11/lock-stock-and-barrel.html
- Web site: Pence Doubles Down On Health Repeal: ‘Committed To Repealing ObamaCare Lock, Stock And Barrel’ . 30 September 2017 . Thinkprogress.org.
- Web site: Ryan . Josiah . 19 January 2011 . Pence: Republicans want to repeal healthcare 'lock, stock and barrel' . 30 September 2017 . Thehill.com.
- Web site: Japsen . Bruce . Mike Pence Backed ACA's Medicaid Expansion 'Lock, Stock' And Co-Pay . 30 September 2017 . Forbes.com.
- 788931871916691456 . mike_pence . When @realDonaldTrump becomes president, we are going to repeal and replace Obamacare lock, stock and barrel. . Mike Pence . 20 October 2016.
- Web site: McConnell: Repealing Obamacare 'first item up' . 30 September 2017 . Cnn.com.
