Friday, June 24, 2011

Question Ably - 8

The origins of this word are dubious. But consensus has it that its roots are in air force slang of the war years. Merriam-Webster cites 1942 as the year of first known use. Originally, the word meant the biggest of bombs. It was soon appropriated by a completely different industry which gave the word its current common usage. What word?

Hint 1: The word may have been two separate words as originally used but the airmen won't vouch for that.

Hint 2: Some netizens say that the word was adopted widely in its current sense after Spielberg's 'Jaws'

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