Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, August 30, 2026
The phrase 'loose cannon,' now meaning unpredictable or reckless, originates from the dangerous reality of unsecured cannons on naval vessels. These heavy iron cannons, mounted on wheels, could become dislodged and roll around the ship during storms, causing significant damage.
“When a cannon got loose, it was a very dangerous thing. Hundreds of pounds of iron could cause a lot of damage, and because of the ship's movement, they were very unpredictable.”
“Hence the term loose cannon.”