Secret weapon
Encyclopedia
A secret weapon is either a concealed weapon
, or a weapon that is not officially confirmed by the owner.
In terms of large-scale weapons, a secret weapon may refer to a newly-designed or invented weapon that the government denies the existence of. For example, during its development, the atomic bomb was considered a secret weapon.
In terms of personal weapons, a secret weapon is a weapon that is hidden, or a weapon of unexpected design. Examples include umbrellas that fire bullets (Penguin
in the Batman
series) and watches that fire lasers. The concept of secret weapons was widely popularized by the James Bond
novels and movies.
The very nature of secret weapons is special, as they tend to not stay secret for very long, if they are actually used as weapons. The German WWII V1 flying bomb, for example, only stayed secret until they were fired against Allied
targets. The secrecy factor relies on how many people know of the weapons development and ultimately, how many people remain alive to report about the weapon's existence in the first place once the weapon is used.
In the example of a weapon being concealed (such as a gun underneath a trench coat) the weapon would remain a "secret" if a) there are no witnesses to the carrier of the weapon prior to the event and b) there are no witnesses left after the event (other than the carrier).
"Secret weapon" can also be a figurative phrase referring to an unknown technique of any kind that a person uses suddenly and surprises his opponent. For example, a debater may use references to a certain authoritative source as a 'secret weapon' to discredit the claims of the opponent.
See also:Infernal machine
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
, or a weapon that is not officially confirmed by the owner.
In terms of large-scale weapons, a secret weapon may refer to a newly-designed or invented weapon that the government denies the existence of. For example, during its development, the atomic bomb was considered a secret weapon.
In terms of personal weapons, a secret weapon is a weapon that is hidden, or a weapon of unexpected design. Examples include umbrellas that fire bullets (Penguin
Penguin (comics)
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
in the Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
series) and watches that fire lasers. The concept of secret weapons was widely popularized by the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
novels and movies.
The very nature of secret weapons is special, as they tend to not stay secret for very long, if they are actually used as weapons. The German WWII V1 flying bomb, for example, only stayed secret until they were fired against Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
targets. The secrecy factor relies on how many people know of the weapons development and ultimately, how many people remain alive to report about the weapon's existence in the first place once the weapon is used.
In the example of a weapon being concealed (such as a gun underneath a trench coat) the weapon would remain a "secret" if a) there are no witnesses to the carrier of the weapon prior to the event and b) there are no witnesses left after the event (other than the carrier).
"Secret weapon" can also be a figurative phrase referring to an unknown technique of any kind that a person uses suddenly and surprises his opponent. For example, a debater may use references to a certain authoritative source as a 'secret weapon' to discredit the claims of the opponent.
See also:Infernal machine
Infernal machine
- Explosive devices :*Naval mine, a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines*Organ gun*Devices to be used in assassinations:** Against Napoleon Bonaparte, in the plot of the Rue Saint-Nicaise...