son of a gun

noun

, plural sons of guns.

1. a rogue; rascal; scoundrel:

   That son of a gun still owes me $20.

2. a tiresome or disagreeable matter, chore, etc.
3. (used as an affectionate greeting, term of address, etc.):

   Charlie Humpelmeyer, you old son of a gun, how are you?

interjection

1. (used as an exclamation of irritation, surprise, dismay, etc.)

son of a gun

noun

1. slang.
   a rogue or rascal: used as a jocular form of address

Word History and Origins

Origin of son of a gun¹

First recorded in 1700–10; perhaps originally the illegitimate offspring of a soldier, though later influenced by British argot gun “thief”; gun moll none

Example Sentences

But Lessard's a overbearin' son-of-a-gun all round, and he's always breakin' out in a new place.

From Project Gutenberg

Th' son-of-a-gun, he never said nothin' about it, an' me a fillin' his ornery paws with smokin'.

From Project Gutenberg

They made way for him, and Johnny, who could not restrain his enthusiasm pounded him on the back and cried: "Yu old son-of-a-gun!"

From Project Gutenberg

Travers used to describe one of these, whom he did not wish particularly to emphasize, as "a fairly clever son-of-a-gun."

From Project Gutenberg

You wouldnt have the nerve to think she is interested in you, would youyou homely son-of-a-gun?

From Project Gutenberg