Saint Browning’s Day.

Who decided the 1911 Colt was a “semiautomatic” pistol? Browning called it an “automatic” pistol or an “autoloader.” Those were the standard terms for all automatic pistols from the 1906 Luger down to the Glocks.

The switch occurred sometime in the 80’s or 90’s. Even the NRA got on board.

Historically there were derringers, revolvers, automatic pistols, and submachine guns/machine pistols.

A different set of terms was used for rifles (rim fire, center fire, lever, bolt, semiautomatic, automatic) and shot guns (gauges and calibers).

It’s like a little seed of political correctness insinuated itself into gun lingo.