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Quiz about Origins of Military Words and Phrases

Origins of Military Words and Phrases Quiz

Can you identify the true origin of well known phrases or words that sprang from military or naval backgrounds? Remember that usage may have altered since the word or phrase was first used.

A multiple-choice quiz by Simon_Templar. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
Simon_Templar

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
253,858

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
3317

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the military origin of the word "aloof"? Hint

To open the topsails for greater speed i.e. being taller, higher or prouder than

Derived from the order to the helmsman to steer away from a hazard by steering to the windward quarter or "luff"

"Loofers" were a common brand name of a British cannon. To site these cannons within range of hitting the target, yet beyond range of the enemies weaponry, was to "stand aloof"

Major General Fitzroy Loof was a fierce and indomitable officer. Serving men, regardless of rank, would cower in his presence and so stand "aloof" of him

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the military origin of the phrase "swinging the lead"? Hint

Measuring depth by lowering a lead weight on a measured rope over the side of a ship

Swinging heavy lead weights on a line as a footsoldier facing an advancing army was deemed a thankless order to be delegated to do

To strafe gunfire in a wide arc was to "swing the lead"

At times when one boarded a neighbouring enemy ship a lead weight was attached to a rope. The lead was swung to wrap around a mast or like object aboard the enemy ship to take grip and allow men to swarm across the rope and board her

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is the military origin of the phrase "run the gauntlet"? Hint

The term used when a flotilla passed through narrow straits with enemy cannon sited on the land either side

First World War German sub-Officers would encircle a miscreant soldier and punish beat him with their studded leather gloves

Swedish crew would form two facing lines and thrash a miscreant amongst them with ropes as he ran between the two lines

Welsh longbowmen wore gauntlets to the elbow for protection when firing their weapons. To "run the gauntlet" was the order to draw back the string of a longbow in preparation for the order to fire

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is the military origin of the word "grenade"? Hint

The "Grenades" were a wild Balkan troop of brigands who made and used the first primitive grenades

It is taken from the name of the Frenchman who invented it, Louis Grenardier (1678-1729)

It derives from its similarity to a fruit called the "pomegranate"

The very first grenades were effectively sulphur gas bombs that gave off a toxic green gas. The original term used was "Greenade"

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the military origin of the word "deadline"? Hint

A soldier placed on the front line of several ranks facing an enemy was said to be on the "deadline".

In the American Civil War prisoners would be shot on sight if they stepped over a line marked on the ground near a perimeter fence - this was the "deadline"

A World War I term for the forewardmost trench was a "deadline"

To set a timed fuse on a bomb was called "setting the deadline"

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is the military origin of the phrase "cut and run"? Hint

When at anchor and subjected to an attack the captain would order the anchor line to be cut in order to escape rapidly

In the days when rum was an issued ration aboard Royal Navy ships a crew member who queued twice for his "cut" of rum would flee quickly once supplied a second time. He was said to take his "cut" of rum and "run"

The British Army in Africa would tie lines of potential slaves together and march them to a coastal fortress to await a slave ship. A slave who was able to cut him self from the line and escape was said to "cut and run"

In jungle warfare of yesteryears leeches were an immense problem, especially to legs. The Medical Officer would cut away a leech from a mans leg allowing him to continue his duties i.e. to "Cut and Run"

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the military origin of the phrase "biting the bullet"? Hint

Battlefield soldiers would brace themselves for the agony of a non-anaesthetised operation in the field by biting on the soft lead of a bullet

It was thought that saliva on a bullet oiled the barrel of a weapon thus preventing potentially fatal gun jams

Some soldiers of yesteryears would chew on the lead tip of a bullet believing it to have hallucinogenic properties, blissfully unaware that it created nothing but lead poisoning

In the American Civil War one really needed three hands to load the gunpowder, wad, bullet and then tamp down with a ramrod. Soldiers would hold the bullet in their teeth whilst they completed the process i.e. to bite the bullet was to prepare your weapon

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the military popularly misconceived origin of the phrase "to freeze the balls off a brass monkey"? Hint

A "brass monkey" was a derogatory term for a ships captain who declined to come on deck in the cold and who instead issued orders from the comfort of his cabin, using a "runner" to convey them

A "brass monkey" was a ship mounted weather vane counterbalanced by brass balls. In extreme cold this vane would freeze and thus be inoperable

A "brass monkey" was a large triangular brass plate with holes in it upon which naval cannonballs would be piled. In cold weather the brass would contract and the cannonballs fall

A "brass monkey" was specialised cannon ammunition used to shred sails and dis-mast an enemy ship. Consisting of two cannonballs linked by chain they were not serviceable in extreme cold as the chains would be frozen together

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the military origin of the phrase "the balloon's gone up"? Hint

In the First World War a balloon would be launched to signal the start of an offensive

A signal to ones own troops that a Zeppelin had crossed over from enemy lines and that attack from it may be imminent

A weather balloon would be hoisted on a line and would rise as indication of improving weather

A manned observation balloon has been hoisted on the front lines thus indicating that fresh intelligence is due in

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is the military origin of the phrase "at full tilt"? Hint

A ship being chased would turn sharply to port or starboard to come around in an effort to come up behind the pursuing ship and so reverse roles. In so doing it would "tilt" sharply to one side in the water and is at "full tilt"

A ship brought around sharply to deliberately list was able to fire its gunnery a greater distance from the higher side than had it been level and stable

Derived from the days of jousting. The "tilt" was the long barrier seperating the two combatants

An officer in the First World War would sometimes wear his cap "tilted" at a jaunty angel. It demonstrated a confidence and self surredness in the officer. He is at full tilt. i.e. at his most confident

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the military origin of the word "aloof"?

Answer: Derived from the order to the helmsman to steer away from a hazard by steering to the windward quarter or "luff"

If a sailing ship was being blown towards a hazard, the captain would issue the order to the helmsman to "steer aloof". This would be to turn the ship to the windward quarter, which was then called the "luff", in order to sail away from the hazard.

2. What is the military origin of the phrase "swinging the lead"?

Answer: Measuring depth by lowering a lead weight on a measured rope over the side of a ship

The leadsman's job was to measure depth by lowering a lead weight over the side of a vessel and noting the length of line that went out. An idle or lazy leadsman could extend this less than arduous task by simply swinging the lead over the side of the ship. Hence instead of doing his job he was "swinging the lead" i.e. being lazy.

3. What is the military origin of the phrase "run the gauntlet"?

Answer: Swedish crew would form two facing lines and thrash a miscreant amongst them with ropes as he ran between the two lines

"To run the gauntlet" was first used in the 30 years' war (1618-1648) involving most of Europes major powers and which was fought largely on what is now German soil. The word "gauntlet" was then spelt "gantlope" from the Swedish words "gata", meaning "a lane", and "lopp" meaning "a course".

It was common practice in the Swedish armed forces of the time for a colleague to be punished for a misdemeanor by having to run the length between two lines of colleagues who would whip him with ropes as he passed them by.

4. What is the military origin of the word "grenade"?

Answer: It derives from its similarity to a fruit called the "pomegranate"

The first grenades were constructed in the 1500s in China. They were typically ceramic or glass encased balls filled with gunpowder and with a short fuse. It was the shrapnel that flew from them that reminded victims of the countless seeds inside a pomegranate. It was the French who first coined the term "grenade" from the old French "pome grenate".

5. What is the military origin of the word "deadline"?

Answer: In the American Civil War prisoners would be shot on sight if they stepped over a line marked on the ground near a perimeter fence - this was the "deadline"

This is an American Civil War term. A demarkation line was drawn on the ground between 20 and 50 feet inside the perimeter fence of a prison. All prisoners were made aware that crossing this line put them at risk of being shot on sight by the guards.

6. What is the military origin of the phrase "cut and run"?

Answer: When at anchor and subjected to an attack the captain would order the anchor line to be cut in order to escape rapidly

A ship at anchor could not depart speedily when the anchor had to be wound aboard by hand. So to cut free when under attack, or in danger from a fire ship, the order would be given to "cut and run" with the wind, leaving the anchor behind on the sea bed.

7. What is the military origin of the phrase "biting the bullet"?

Answer: Battlefield soldiers would brace themselves for the agony of a non-anaesthetised operation in the field by biting on the soft lead of a bullet

Anaesthetics were not often available at the time that medical operations had to be performed in the field. The subject of the operation would literally bite upon a bullet in an effort to alleviate the agony of such an operation.

8. What is the military popularly misconceived origin of the phrase "to freeze the balls off a brass monkey"?

Answer: A "brass monkey" was a large triangular brass plate with holes in it upon which naval cannonballs would be piled. In cold weather the brass would contract and the cannonballs fall

Cannonballs would be stored by the gun on a triangular "brass monkey". In extreme cold conditions the brass would contract to a larger extent than the cannonballs and the pyramid of cannonballs would collapse. Hence it's cold enough to "freeze the balls off a brass monkey".

9. What is the military origin of the phrase "the balloon's gone up"?

Answer: In the First World War a balloon would be launched to signal the start of an offensive

It is true that one way of mass signalling orders to commence an offensive was by means of raising a balloon. All sides in the First World War would use this simple but effective signalling technique.

10. What is the military origin of the phrase "at full tilt"?

Answer: Derived from the days of jousting. The "tilt" was the long barrier seperating the two combatants

The phrase "at full tilt" is derived from the old English words "Tealt" or "Tylte". Jousting as we know it today was then known as "tilting". To ensure a steady line of approach between the two riders there would be a fence or hedge along the line of the run. This line was the "tilt".

Source: Author Simon_Templar

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Beatka before going online.
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