Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
sticks and stones en · NOUN
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(idiomatic, no-plural, used in the plural) any obsolete technology (usually of military and law enforcement purposes) when used in comparison to state of the art technology used by the antagonists or competitors.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
20th century, (famous quote):
Relateds
sticks and stones may break my bones
sticks and stones en · X
Pronunciation
Meanings
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(abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, idiomatic) Ellipsis of sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
1957, Brendan Gill, The Day the Money Stopped
‘You cheap dead-beat son of a bitch.’ / ‘Sticks and stones.’
Elizabeth Swann: You're despicable!
Jack Sparrow: Sticks and stones, love.
2003, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (film)1993, The Independent, 15 May
He has come through the worst and now presents a stoical ‘sticks and stones’ front to his detractors.
(Kate): That's gross! You're a pervert.
(Trekkie):Oh, sticks and stones, Kate Monster.
2003, “The Internet Is For Porn”, in Avenue Q soundtrack: