by Dictionary Scoop.
Most nations in history have taken great pride in the strength and honor of their military. So it seems logical that something as valuable for any society has a profound and direct impact on the way we communicate with each other. We have selected a few words we use every day that have military origins.
Our list may contain some surprises!:
1–Skedaddle
Considering its meaning and silly-sounding nature, you might find it surprising to learn that the slang word “skedaddle,” which means to hurriedly run away from a situation, rose to prominence during the American Civil War. While the exact origins of this word are unclear, it was first printed and popularized in 1861 by Northern newspapers, referring to the advancement and withdrawal of opposing troops.
2–Ginormous
Just like skedaddle, the word “ginormous” seems more akin to a Dr. Seuss book than to the severity and discipline of the British army. And yet, that’s exactly where “ginormous” comes from: It was a slang term originated by British soldiers during WW2, naturally used to describe something extremely (and ridiculously) large, resulting from the combination of the words “gigantic” and “enormous.”
3–Picket
Nowadays, almost all forms of the word “picket” are associated with protesting: It can be used to refer to the act of protesting, to a group of protesters, or to a structure raised as a sign of protest. It is not often used in its original definition. In the 17th century, the word “picket” described a post or fence with a sharp point, which was used as a defense against cavalry soldiers. In fact, this word comes from the French term piquet, which literally means “pointed stake.”
4–Jamoke
“Jamoke” is a rather interesting term. Nowadays, this word is considered an insult, used to refer to someone uninteresting and dull. However, that wasn’t always the case: You probably already know that “jamoke” is originally a slang word used for coffee. It wasn’t until WW1 that soldiers started using this word as a derogatory term, used to insult someone as boring and plain as a cup of coffee.
5–Raunchy
The word “raunchy” might be used to describe both a joke in bad taste or a messy and filthy place: It’s basically used to describe something dirty or in bad shape. While the etymology of the word remains unclear, we do know that it is a common slang term in the U.S. Air Corp, and some believe that it comes from cadets comparing an unkept place with a filthy “ranch.”
6–Skosh
The origins of the word “skosh,” which is used to describe a small amount or a pinch of something, are truly fascinating. It was brought back to the United States by American soldiers deployed to the Korean War. Interestingly, this word comes from the Japanese word sukoshi, which means “a little,” so although the word has changed when brought to an American audience, the meaning of both terms is basically the same.
7–Clobber
The word “clobber” means to hit something or someone particularly hard: You might be familiar with the term from the Fantastic Four member “The Thing,” whose iconic catchphrase is “It’s clobberin’ time!”
In any case, most etymologists believe that the origins of this word come from the British Air Force, since “clobbering” was once used as a synonym for bombing.
8–Hotshot
These days, the word “hotshot” is usually used to describe someone of great importance, or of outstanding success in a particular field: For instance, you might employ the services of a hotshot lawyer or doctor. However, there’s also a derogatory side to this word, since a hotshot might be someone who recklessly jumps into action.
Regardless, some historians believe that the origins of this word date back to the times of old naval battles, when sailors who loaded heated cannonballs (the titular “hot shots”) were usually regarded as people with great skill for battle.
9–Fireworks
This entry doesn’t refer to the etymology of the word itself, but rather to the military origins of the fireworks you might enjoy on a 4th of July.
You might be surprised to learn that fireworks date back to Ancient China, since the earliest evidence of recreational fireworks can be dated back to the Song dynasty which ruled between 960 and 1279. However, the bright lights of fireworks were developed from early military rockets and explosive missiles, which employed the same kind of gunpowder.
10–Know the ropes
Think back on your first day at a new school or a new job, and focus on both the excitement and nervousness that you probably felt: With any luck, you had a more experienced friend or coworker who “knew the ropes” and was able to show you how everything worked in that new environment.
As you probably guessed, the expression “to know the ropes” comes from the world of sailing, where sailors had to be extremely familiar with the ropes of their ships: Any sailor worth its salt knew which rope raised which sail, and how to properly tie them.
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