noun
ronson
RON-suhn
noun
1
(military slang, historical) A nickname for the M4 Sherman tank, referencing its tendency to catch fire when hit.
"Veterans grimly nicknamed the M4 the "Ronson" after it went up in flames from a single hit."
How to Use Ronson
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA grim WWII-era nickname for the Sherman tank, referencing its habit of bursting into flames when struck.
When to use it
Historical military slang, rarely used outside discussions of WWII armor.
Word Forms
ronsons plural
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Veterans grimly nicknamed the M4 the "_____" after it went up in flames from a single hit.
Etymology
Named after the cigarette-lighter brand Ronson, whose 1940s advertising slogan promised it would light "every time" — a dark joke about how easily the tank ignited.