Hollow-point Bullet - Terminology

Terminology

The hollow point and soft-nosed bullets are both sometimes also referred to as dum-dums, so named after the British arsenal at Dum Dum, in present north Kolkata, India, where it is said jacketed, expanding bullets were first developed. This term is rare among shooters in North America, but can still be found in use, usually in the news media and sensational popular fiction. Recreational shooters sometimes refer to hollow points as "JHPs", from the common manufacturer's abbreviation for "Jacketed Hollow Point".

To be most correct, the term "Dum Dum Bullet" refers only to soft-point bullets, not to hollow points, though it is very common for it to be mistakenly used this way.