On Mon, 27 Mar 2006 16:04:06 -0700, TDKozan wrote:

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


Actually..no..a petard was a black powder device nailed to the gates
or walls of a village/keep/castle, to blow a hole in the object..a
breeching charge as it were. The nail type device it was attached to
...thats what was ment..when you were hung by the neck until dead,
hanging from your own petard or blown to pieces by a short fuse.

There is also some conjecture..that in French..petard is also used to
describe a fart. Usually a load obnoxious one..that sickens even the
fartee...hence..done in by your own fart.

Shrug..pick one that tickles your fancy. The known facts point to the
breeching charge.

Isnt a mind full of trivia a wonderful thing to own?

Gack.....

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner