(08-07-2017, 06:55 AM)727Sky Wrote: ...Just a story but I would not be surprised if there is much truth in this one..
I would think it has great merit, although my first thought was that it was shortened over
time from 'son of a gunner', but I now know I was wrong.
From Wikipedia (I know-I know!!)... there's an interesting suggestion.
'...Admiral William Henry Smyth wrote in his 1867 book, The Sailor's Word-Book: "Son of a gun, an epithet conveying
contempt in a slight degree, and originally applied to boys born afloat, when women were permitted to accompany their
husbands to sea; one admiral declared he literally was thus cradled, under the breast of a gun-carriage."...'
SOURCE:
I prefer yours Sky, it's more 'real'!!!
Edith Head Gives Good Wardrobe.