Origin of word "Gun" and possible alternatives

[Stormborn]

Not having my OED handy, nor access to my favorite research monkey at the moment, I was wondering about the origin of the word "gun." While I am usually pretty good with off the top of my head etymology I am lost on this one.

What does this have to do with gaming? Well there are multiple threads right now about guns and their effects on the world (including one I started here: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=134968 )

So I was thinking of alternative names for alternative worlds and possible alternative firearms.

Any thoughts?

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Don't know about the origin of the word, but a very good alternative is easy to find.

Gonne.

 

[DMH]

I can't believe that I am going to be the first to say

boomstick

Are you looking for real names? How about locke (as in wheellock)?

 

[eabha]

Gun...

1339, gunne "an engine of war that throws rocks, arrows or other missiles," probably a shortening of woman's name Gunilda, found in Middle English gonnilde "cannon" and in an Anglo-L. reference to a specific gun from a 1330 munitions inventory of Windsor Castle ("...una magna balista de cornu quae Domina Gunilda ..."), from O.N. Gunnhildr, woman's name (from gunnr + hildr, both meaning "war, battle"); meaning shifted with technology, from cannons to firearms as they developed 15c. Great guns (cannon, etc.) distinguished from small guns (such as muskets) from c.1408. First applied to pistols and revolvers 1744. Meaning "thief, rascal" is from 1858. -- from here

Can't help you with the rest.

 

[Galethorn]

Hand-cannons? Hand-gonnes? Arquebusses? Those were all real-world ones...

Iron Dragons?

War-pipes?

That's all I can think of so far...I'm sure others will have more suggestions.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

There were early references to guns as "engyns" a.k.a. "engines".

 

[Kae'Yoss]

The classic: Slug thrower.

Firespitter

Normal man's wand.

Piece-uh, I mean, peace-maker

Gnomish bow (after dwarven bow, which is a warhammer balanced for throwing)

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

"Bangstick? Did you actually say bangstick? This, my friend, is a Remington 700."

 

[Desdichado]

Firearms.

 

[kirinke]

"Bangstick? Did you actually say bangstick? This, my friend, is a Remington 700."

Gotta love the Farside.