Louis Ohland wrote:
I put the term that I'm familiar with up first. Here's one to chew
on. Enjoy! http://www.editorscanberra.org/July02.htm#naut YMMV

Hoisted by one's own petard

The 'petard' was a small cask of black powder used to prime cannon
fuses. During a battle a petard was stored alongside each gun.
Occasionally, a careless crewman would set one off while lighting a
fuse, thereby 'hoisting' himself in the air. The expression was used by
English sailors describing the inept French gunners.


Will you be regaling us with the etymology of Brass Monkeys next?
Sheesh, let it lie.

TK

--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence.