Difference between revisions of "Torpedo"
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'''Torpedo''' can be ambiguous. Students of literature or history may come across the word in a very different sense from the standard current meaning, of | '''Torpedo''' can be ambiguous. Students of literature or history may come across the word in a very different sense from the standard current meaning, of | ||
| − | + | *'an underwater weapon'. The first weapon to be given this [[metaphor]]ical name was originally close to the modern 'depth charge': | |
| − | *'an underwater weapon'. | + | ::it was a waterproof case containing an explosive charge which could be detonated by a timer. This had a 'stunning' effect on nearby vessels, or on people (and fish) swimming in the vicinity. Hence the name. The first, which floated, was designed to be towed by a submarine which would pass under the target ship and bring the torpedo into contact on the side from which the original approach had been made. This was later known as a 'towing torpedo'. (The technology developed into the moored 'mine' or 'moored torpedo'. Surfaced vessels could carry it on a spar, the 'boom-torpedo', 'out-rigger-torpedo' or 'spar-torpedo'. Some - 'otters' - were towed at an angle from the parent vessel, taking up a divergent course.) |
| − | + | **The name 'torpedo' became more appropriate when the newer weapon was developed, a self-propelled missile that travelled virtually unseen under the surface of the water, and detonated on contact with the target. These are now often 'homing torpedoes' that steer themselves onto the target. | |
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*'''Torpedo''' was originally the [[Latin]] name for a fish - the '''electric ray'''. There are several species of rays that go under this name: they can be found in temperate seas all over the world. They are all rays (cartilaginous fish, related to sharks). They live in shallow water, living in and feeding on the species in coastal sediments, and are liable to be stood upon by land dwellers, or disturbed by sea dwellers. Consequently, they have evolved the power of producing electric shocks, as a defensive weapon. They are related to the so-called '''electric eel''' (''Electrophorus electricus''), a freshwater fish from South America which can also produce an electric shock - but has evolved it as a hunting weapon as well as for defensive purposes. It too has been called 'the torpedo' since its discovery by Europeans, who related it to their experience of the ray found in the Mediterranean. | *'''Torpedo''' was originally the [[Latin]] name for a fish - the '''electric ray'''. There are several species of rays that go under this name: they can be found in temperate seas all over the world. They are all rays (cartilaginous fish, related to sharks). They live in shallow water, living in and feeding on the species in coastal sediments, and are liable to be stood upon by land dwellers, or disturbed by sea dwellers. Consequently, they have evolved the power of producing electric shocks, as a defensive weapon. They are related to the so-called '''electric eel''' (''Electrophorus electricus''), a freshwater fish from South America which can also produce an electric shock - but has evolved it as a hunting weapon as well as for defensive purposes. It too has been called 'the torpedo' since its discovery by Europeans, who related it to their experience of the ray found in the Mediterranean. | ||
::This '''electric ray''' (''torpedo torpedo'') has been known since ancient times. The Romans named it 'the '''torpedo'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> from the [[verb]] ''torpere'', 'to be stiff or numb', because the shock from the ray is enough to stun or numb a human victim. It (and other electric rays, discovered more recently and called after it) is also known as the 'numbfish' or 'crampfish' in English. (''Torpere'' is also the [[etymological root|root]] of the [[adjective]] '''torpid'''.) | ::This '''electric ray''' (''torpedo torpedo'') has been known since ancient times. The Romans named it 'the '''torpedo'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> from the [[verb]] ''torpere'', 'to be stiff or numb', because the shock from the ray is enough to stun or numb a human victim. It (and other electric rays, discovered more recently and called after it) is also known as the 'numbfish' or 'crampfish' in English. (''Torpere'' is also the [[etymological root|root]] of the [[adjective]] '''torpid'''.) | ||
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Revision as of 19:27, 22 February 2011
Torpedo can be ambiguous. Students of literature or history may come across the word in a very different sense from the standard current meaning, of
- 'an underwater weapon'. The first weapon to be given this metaphorical name was originally close to the modern 'depth charge':
- it was a waterproof case containing an explosive charge which could be detonated by a timer. This had a 'stunning' effect on nearby vessels, or on people (and fish) swimming in the vicinity. Hence the name. The first, which floated, was designed to be towed by a submarine which would pass under the target ship and bring the torpedo into contact on the side from which the original approach had been made. This was later known as a 'towing torpedo'. (The technology developed into the moored 'mine' or 'moored torpedo'. Surfaced vessels could carry it on a spar, the 'boom-torpedo', 'out-rigger-torpedo' or 'spar-torpedo'. Some - 'otters' - were towed at an angle from the parent vessel, taking up a divergent course.)
- The name 'torpedo' became more appropriate when the newer weapon was developed, a self-propelled missile that travelled virtually unseen under the surface of the water, and detonated on contact with the target. These are now often 'homing torpedoes' that steer themselves onto the target.
- Torpedo was originally the Latin name for a fish - the electric ray. There are several species of rays that go under this name: they can be found in temperate seas all over the world. They are all rays (cartilaginous fish, related to sharks). They live in shallow water, living in and feeding on the species in coastal sediments, and are liable to be stood upon by land dwellers, or disturbed by sea dwellers. Consequently, they have evolved the power of producing electric shocks, as a defensive weapon. They are related to the so-called electric eel (Electrophorus electricus), a freshwater fish from South America which can also produce an electric shock - but has evolved it as a hunting weapon as well as for defensive purposes. It too has been called 'the torpedo' since its discovery by Europeans, who related it to their experience of the ray found in the Mediterranean.
- This electric ray (torpedo torpedo) has been known since ancient times. The Romans named it 'the torpedo' from the verb torpere, 'to be stiff or numb', because the shock from the ray is enough to stun or numb a human victim. It (and other electric rays, discovered more recently and called after it) is also known as the 'numbfish' or 'crampfish' in English. (Torpere is also the root of the adjective torpid.)
