Slinger

A slinger is a person trained to use a sling, a simple weapon consisting of a pouch attached to two cords. By whirling the sling and releasing one cord, the user launches a small projectile at high speed. The term can also refer to the weapon itself or to a soldier who employs such weapons.

Slingers were employed in many ancient armies, especially when light, mobile infantry were needed to harass enemies or defend against cavalry. The Balearic slingers of the western Mediterranean were particularly renowned for accuracy and range. Typical projectiles were stones, but sling bullets made of lead or other metals were also used in some contexts. A skilled slinger could hit targets at tens of meters and beyond with high consistency, and some troop formations integrated slingers with archers and heavy infantry to extend their reach.

In the modern era, slings are primarily encountered in historical reenactment, educational demonstrations, or specialty sport and hobby contexts. The term “slinger” is rarely used outside of historical discussion, fiction, or game settings, where it may denote a character who wields a sling. The device remains a classic example of a simple, effective projectile weapon that relies on skill and practice rather than complex technology.