scattershot

[kjc0123]

I know that "scattershot approach" means approach by which they try to deal with a lot of things in a way that is not well organized". By the way, in the above sentence, what is the exact meaning(if possible, the origin) of "scattershot"?

[andyboy]

Hi there This expression is a reference to shot that is fired from a gun or cannon. When fire arms were less than accurate, people used to fill the barrel with lots of small pieces of metal that would scatter when fired. The idea being that although most of it would miss, at least something would hit the intended target. Hope this helps.

[Quizmonster]

'Scattershot' first appeared in Webster's dictionary in 1961, though 'scattercharge' had existed for almost a century before that. Basically, a scattercharge is an explosive designed to make the 'shot' spray widely on firing rather than travelling in a narrow path.

[Quizmonster]

Ah, a bit of synchrography there, Andy!

[IndieSinger]

Have either of you heard it called scattergun as well? I'll be honest, I've only ever heard scattergun and never scattershot or scattercharge. We live and learn.

[New Forester]

This is also the way birdshot in a shotgun works. A shotgun is a smooth-bore gun, with a cartridge packed with round lead shot. It may be only one shot, when the gun operates like a musket (lots of oomph, little range or accuracy). A dozen or so would be buckshot, suitable for deer (illegal in the UK -- you must use a rifle). Bird-shot is dozens and dozens of tiny pellets, which spread out as they fly, giving a much better chance of hitting a moving target with one or two of them. A shotgun is therefore really also a "scatter-gun". I think a scatter-charge in a cannon was also called grape-shot.