Tango01 | 11 Mar 2014 10:55 p.m. PST |
"The term sniper has an interesting etymology dating back to 18th century India. It comes from the common pastime of snipe hunting a hobby popular with British gentlemen who found themselves posted there. The Snipe lives primarily in marshlands and is an agile, easily spooked bird with an erratic flight pattern that throws off predators and potential hunters. This makes shooting them particularly difficult as such being a proficient snipe hunter became synonymous with being an excellent shot. The hunting of the birds often required the hunter to move quietly, make good use of cover and patiently await his opportunity. All qualities which are today recognised within snipers
"
Full article here. gunhistoryindia.com For all my "sniper" friends here! (smile). Hope you enjoy! Amicalement Armand |
Caliban | 12 Mar 2014 2:49 a.m. PST |
Thanks, Armand, I didn't know that. |
John the Greater | 12 Mar 2014 6:47 a.m. PST |
Interesting. In the Civil War you see the term "sharpshooter" used, so I guess the British term didn't get here until later. |
jgawne | 12 Mar 2014 9:45 a.m. PST |
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Frederick | 12 Mar 2014 9:51 a.m. PST |
Well, there you go – I did not know that – thanks for posting! |
The Tin Dictator | 12 Mar 2014 10:10 a.m. PST |
As I am fond of saying
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story. I've seen references to snipers in history books about the Thirty Years War and the English Civil War. That puts it at least 100 years earlier than what they claim. I suppose the authors might have just been using familiar terminology but I'm skeptical of this article's claims without something a bit more concrete for a source. |
mjkerner | 12 Mar 2014 10:10 a.m. PST |
Shhh
be vewwy, vewwy, quiet. |
Tango01 | 12 Mar 2014 10:15 a.m. PST |
Glad you enjoyed it boys!. (smile). Amicalement Armand |
brass1 | 12 Mar 2014 10:26 a.m. PST |
I've seen references to snipers in history books about the Thirty Years War and the English Civil War. That puts it at least 100 years earlier than what they claim. If the word was used by the author, rather than being taken from contemporary texts, I suspect it was familiar modern terminology being used to describe people who were called something else at the time, e.g. I've seen descriptions of the Battle of New Orleans where General Pakenham's death is attributed to an American "sniper" when none of the contemporary documents I have ever seen use that term. Of course, Pakenham was actually killed by artillery fire but he was struck by a bullet fired by a "rifleman", "marksman", or "soldier", never a "sniper". LT |
Abwehrschlacht | 12 Mar 2014 3:28 p.m. PST |
Everyday is a school day on TMP
|
Mako11 | 12 Mar 2014 8:58 p.m. PST |
Snipe hunting is interesting, but you have to be very quick, have good timing, and a good location. My dad and uncles used to try it in the evenings, on the farm. You usually only get one pass. |
Tango01 | 12 Mar 2014 11:09 p.m. PST |
I snipe wild pigs here. Amicalement Armand |
Supercilius Maximus | 16 Mar 2014 6:43 a.m. PST |
Everyday is a school day on TMP
Crappy food and a sound thrashing
..? |