Learn English – So which should it be – ‘lock and load’ or ‘load and lock’

etymology

Employed in the Security Industry for over twenty years I have occasionally been encouraged to 'lock and load' – an exhortation to be ready for what is coming.

But I would have expected to 'load' myself with kit and courage – first – then to 'lock' my equipment and personal disposition as a secondary activity.

Indeed, my own experience of weaponry (confined to a firing range in Buckinghamshire) is of loading the weapon, then locking the weapon.

My observation, also, of larger pieces of belligerent equipment, is that they are loaded with ammunition, first, and then secured for firing.

The Wictionary article on 'lock and load' attributes the modern beginnings of its popular use to a John Wayne film in 1949. The script writer at the time is presumably quoting from an instructor manual, dated 1940, which refers to dummy (!) cartridges, reference 3. of the article.

It is doubtful that the filmed quote refers to 'musquets' (sic) and their peculiarities, reference 1. of the article.

But the article also references a British saying 'loaded and locked' :

The transposition "loaded and locked" is used by Walter Scott in 1815, unambiguously in reference to a flintlock pistol.

And also a German saying :

German "laden und sichern" ("load and secure")

So which is it :

1) Do I 'lock and load' my 'musquet' and dummy catridges with the instructor and John Wayne ?

2) Or do I 'load and lock' with Walter Scott and the German army ?

3) Or do I forget practicality and just accept three words that sound vaguely like 'rock and roll' ?

Best Answer

From Springfield Armory's manual for the M1 Garand rifle (as John Wayne used in "The Sands of Iwo Jima"):

  1. Prepare the rifle for loading. Pull the operating rod handle to the rear until the bolt is securely locked open.

  2. Loading a full clip. Grasp the rifle with your left hand just forward of and under the receiver. Place the butt of the rifle on or against something fairly solid such as your thigh, a table or the ground. Using your right hand place the clip on the top center of the cartridge with your hand extended down the right side of the rifle so that your hand is just forward of the operating rod handle. Push the clip down until it latches. The operating handle and bolt should stay to the rear as long as downward pressure is maintained on the top cartridge.

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