I read once that the term "son of a gun" derived from the old (probably British) navy, when exceedingly friendly women were at times allowed to live below decks while a warship was in port. Of course, heavy cannon were very much a part of the furniture, and the sailors were at ease on and around them. In this environment, so many youngsters were conceived atop a 24-pounder that the term "son of a gun" came to describe them. As with most slang, the original, highly "colorful" meaning has nearly been lost, and society has adopted the term as a safe replacement for less acceptable phrases. How many times had I said "Well I'll be a son of a gun"! before I'd ever heard that story?
TT
