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The earliest use of it appears to come from around the beginning of the 19th century.

Likely first recorded in the letters of Sir Walter Scott in 1817, in the line "Like the High-landman's gun, she wants stock, lock, and barrel, to put her into repair".[1] It is, however, thought that this term evolved into a popular saying some years before in England.

It means all, everything - like these three parts of a musket - the lock, stock and barrel.

15 years ago. Rating: 1
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