without packing heat?

[Torsten]

Hi,

I sometimes hear this phrase on CNN: We don't go anywhere without packing heat.

What exactly does 'without packing heat' mean?

Many thanks,
Torsten
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[SkiIucK]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=packing+heat

[Torsten]

Hi Dimitar,

Many thanks for those definitions which I had read before I posted the question. The phrase appears in a promotion trailer to a CNN program called "The Campaign Trail". I wonder why the journalists running the show would need firearms when they go on "the campaign trail".
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Barb_D]

I can't imagine!

[Skrej]

Hmm..

I'm thinking it must be a play on the street slang definition; perhaps they're using the phrase in referring to gossip, misinformation, closet-skeleton, and other such 'dirt' (mud-slinging, It's the American way!) as 'weapons'. Perhaps the candidates are 'under fire' and CNN is doing the shooting (reporting)?

In politics negative campaigning seems to the one of the main weapons, and with dirt/mud the 'ammo'...

Either that, or perhaps a play on the notion of political campaigns heating up, the heat of the race, candidates under fire, etc.

Also Truman's adage about 'staying out of the kitchen when you can't stand the heat' springs to mind.

Sort of a stretch, but it's the only way I can make the phrase make sense in that context. You like?