The language of armed forces

Very few people know these 10 words come from the military. Do you?

Image: israel palacio

Throughout human history, one profession has stood the passage of time and remained constant even in our modern days: Most nations, kingdoms, or empires in history have taken great pride in the strength and honor of their military. In that sense, it seems only logical that something as valuable for any society has a profound and direct impact on the way we communicate with each other. However, this influence can sometimes be overlooked, so we have decided to select a few words we use every day that have military origins. We guarantee you’ll be surprised by more than a few of these entries! Enjoy!

Image: Mitchell Orr

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.

Image: Kyle Johnston

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".

Image: Markus Spiske

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. In fact, the meaning less linked to this word is 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".

Image: Indra Projects

"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.

Image: Lucas Lenzi

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".

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

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.

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

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.

Image: Andrew Neel

In our 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.

Image: Designecologist

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.

Image: Megan Menegay

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.

BEYOND SANTA

10 Ice-Cold Facts About the North Pole

Image: Roxanne Desgagnés

The North Pole, a distant realm full of icy wonders, captivates minds and imaginations worldwide. And what else would we expect from Santa’s wintery home? But beyond the myths and legends, the North Pole is a unique region of our planet, boasting a rich biodiversity and a set of atmospheric phenomena that can’t be found anywhere else.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the frozen frontier to the North!

Image: Greg Rosenke

The North Pole is located in the Arctic Ocean, at the northernmost point of Earth. At this geographical juncture, all lines of longitude converge, making any direction from that point south. Also, due to being at Earth’s axis of rotation, the North Pole experiences perpetual twilight during the winter months and unending sunlight during the summer. Interestingly, this extreme variation creates unique adaptations in both local flora and fauna.

Image: Jamie Street

Surprisingly, the North Pole isn’t always in the same place! As if finding your way with a compass wasn’t difficult enough, the magnetic North Pole is slowly drifting across the Arctic Ocean. This movement, known as polar drift, is influenced by the flow of molten iron in Earth’s outer core and is faster than you would think. Since 2007, it has been estimated to move from 34 to 37 miles per year. You now might be wondering if we should toss out all our maps, but fear not! The Geographic North Pole (or True North) is firmly anchored, as Earth’s axis of rotation defines it.

Image: Hector John Periquin

Unlike the South Pole, which sits atop a continent - Antarctica - the North Pole lacks a landmass beneath its icy surface. Instead, it is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, making it a unique geographical feature defined by its position rather than solid ground. This vast expanse of floating ice poses unique challenges for exploration and research, with expeditions requiring specialized equipment and expertise to navigate safely.

Image: Dylan Shaw

Throughout history, explorers have undertaken daring expeditions to conquer the North Pole. Whaling ships, icebreakers, skis, and even hot air balloons were used by daring explorers in their attempts to reach it. And while the early expeditions often ended in catastrophic failure, some eventually managed to reach it and make it back to tell the tale. One of the renowned North Pole explorers was U.S. Navy engineer Robert Peary, allegedly the first to reach the Pole on April 6, 1909.

Image: Caterina sanders

The Arctic's iconic apex predator, the polar bear, reigns supreme as the largest land carnivore on Earth. These magnificent creatures are superbly adapted to their icy habitat, with thick fur, insulating blubber, and keen hunting skills. Interestingly, the term "Arctic" comes from the Greek word "arktos," meaning bear, while "Antarctic" means "no bears," reflecting the absence of polar bears in the southern polar region.

Image: Naja Bertolt Jensen

Climate change is dramatically altering the Arctic landscape, with the North Pole experiencing significant ice loss. The rate of ice melt has accelerated in recent decades, raising concerns about the ecological impact on polar wildlife and global sea levels. In fact, since we began to record and monitor by satellite the state of the planet’s ice caps in 1979, the North Pole has lost 35% of its original ice.

Image: Anders Jildén

The ground beneath the Arctic circle is perpetually frozen, creating a vast expanse of permafrost.

As temperatures rise, this frozen layer thaws, releasing massive amounts of stored carbon and methane into the atmosphere. This dangerous phenomenon actually accelerates climate change, and it can work as a sort of slippery slope where after a certain tipping point, planetary warming will be inevitable.

Image: Robert Thiemann

Despite its seemingly inhospitable environment, the North Pole boasts a surprisingly vibrant and resilient ecosystem. Far from being an uninhabited barren, countless species call the Arctic home. From microscopic organisms thriving beneath the ice to large herbivores like caribou and Arctic hares and a large variety of predators like seals, whales, and polar bears, every layer of this intricate web of life plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the Arctic.

Image: Max Stoiber

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, grace the skies above the North Pole with their mesmerizing dance of colors. This celestial spectacle is caused by charged solar particles colliding with Earth's magnetosphere. Notoriously elusive, their appearance is bound by a variety of factors, including solar activity, geomagnetic storms, and atmospheric conditions.

Image: NOAA

Beneath the icy surface lies the Lomonosov Ridge, an underwater mountain range stretching across the Arctic Ocean. This curious geological feature plays a crucial role in determining territorial claims and resource exploration in the region. Currently, Russia, Denmark, and Canada all have territorial claims in the region, arguing that this hidden formation is actually an extension of their sovereign territories.