'slingshot' originates from the combination of 'sling' and 'shot', where 'sling' meant 'to throw' and 'shot' referred to 'a projectile'.

'slingshot' evolved from the Old English word 'slingan' meaning 'to throw', combined with 'shot', which has been used since the Middle Ages to refer to projectiles.

Initially, it meant 'a device for throwing stones', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.