sidearm

Originally, a "sidearm" was not just a gun. It meant a weapon such as a sword or dagger carried at a person's side in addition to a main weapon. You can picture a knight with a lance and a sword at his hip for close combat. Over time, as firearms became more common, the term came to mean a handgun, usually a pistol or revolver carried as a secondary weapon by police officers, soldiers, or private citizens.

You might hear about a cowboy's trusty sidearm in an old Western film or read about a detective holstering one before entering a dangerous situation. It is the weapon kept close at hand, ready to be used when the main option is not available or practical.

The word "sidearm" has a fascinating history rooted in warfare and weaponry. Initially, it described any secondary weapon carried on the side—hence the name—used as a backup to a primary weapon like a spear, lance, or longsword. A medieval knight wouldn't just charge into battle with a lance; they would have a sword or dagger at their hip for when the lance broke or the fight moved into close quarters.

However, with the rise of firearms, "sidearm" came to refer mainly to handguns, especially pistols and revolvers. These were carried as secondary weapons alongside larger weapons such as rifles, and the term later became common for the handguns carried by police officers and other armed professionals. The word suggests something close by and easy to reach, often worn on the hip in a holster. You might read about a sheriff checking his sidearm or see a character in a film reaching for it during a tense moment. While "handgun" is the broader word, "sidearm" often adds the idea of a weapon carried as part of a role or for quick access.

Beyond weapons, the term also appears in sports. In baseball, a "sidearm" throw or delivery means the player releases the ball with the arm moving from the side rather than from high overhead. This angle can make the ball's path harder to read. So, whether you are picturing a medieval knight, a modern police officer, or a baseball pitcher, "sidearm" points to something carried or done from the side.