shrapnel

Etymology

From Shrapnel. Named after British army officer Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842) who invented an anti-personnel shell that transported a large number of bullets to the target before releasing them, at a far greater distance than rifles could fire the bullets individually. The surname is likely a metathesized form of Charbonnel, a diminutive of Old French charbon (“charcoal”) in reference to hair color, complexion, or the like.

noun

1. (military, historical) An anti-personnel artillery shell used in World War I which carries a large number of individual bullets close to the target and then ejects them to allow them to continue along the shell's trajectory and strike the target individually.
2. (military, historical) The bullets from the aforementioned type of artillery shell.
3. (military) Shot, fragments, or debris thrown out by an exploding shell, bomb or landmine.
4. (slang) Loose change.
   I was waiting in the queue, looking at the board / Wondering whether to have a burger or chips / Or what the shrapnel in my back pocket could afford 2004, “Fit But You Know It”, in Mike Skinner (lyrics), A Grand Don’t Come For Free, performed by The Streets
5. Debris.
   The dog ate my sandwich, and there was shrapnel all over the place from him tearing open the bag.