# snipers
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 29, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925 "2003-03-29T00:02:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 16
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@DuhCow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DuhCow)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/1 "2003-03-29T00:02:10Z")
do snipers snipe people or do they shoot people? is the correct terminology “he just sniped that man”? or what? thank you!!
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/2 "2003-03-29T00:12:11Z")
Either is correct, although “snipe” is rarely used. Most people say “shoot”.
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### Author:  [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/3 "2003-03-29T00:28:12Z")
A gunner does not gun,
A rifleman does not rifle.
but do not be dismayed,
It’s only but a trifle.
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/4 "2003-03-29T01:03:50Z")
“Sniping” is what many of us at the SDMB do. Fortunately, we rarely shoot other posters. :eek:
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### Author:  [@acropolis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acropolis)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/5 "2003-03-29T16:52:02Z")
The word “sniper” got its meaning from a small bird: the Snipe. To shoot one involved great accuracy and skill. So to use the word “snipe” as a verb would be incorrect.
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### Author:  [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/6 "2003-03-29T16:54:51Z")
If one wanted to be a sniper, would you just say that when you enlisted?
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/7 "2003-03-29T16:59:29Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by acropolis \*
> \*\*The word “sniper” got its meaning from a small bird: the Snipe. To shoot one involved great accuracy and skill. So to use the word “snipe” as a verb would be incorrect. \*\*
[Dictionary.com](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=snipe) disagrees with you:
[quote]
intr.v. sniped, snip·ing, snipes
1. To shoot at individuals from a concealed place.
2. To shoot snipe.
3. To make malicious, underhand remarks or attacks[/quote
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/8 "2003-03-29T17:19:12Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Speaker for the Dead \*
> \*\*If one wanted to be a sniper, would you just say that when you enlisted? \*\*
IIRC its something you can apply for if you score over a certain amount on your rifle qualification. I have a co-worker who was a millitary sniper. From his description its definitely not for everyone. The discipline, patience, and skills needed are a kinda rare combination.
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### Author:  [@acropolis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/acropolis)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/9 "2003-03-29T17:25:47Z")
I’ve always been impressed by military snipers. I watched a program on History Channel about the training… intense… they will lay there for hours waiting for a 1 second window of opportunity to make a shot on a target… also I never realised how much training goes into camoflage.
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### Author:  [@Mephisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mephisto)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/10 "2003-03-29T17:47:18Z")
There’s a little more to it than just scoring expert on your basic training rifle range and telling your drill sergeant that, yeah, sniping sounds cool. Here’s a link with some info on how to become an Army sniper. Hope this is helpful to those who were interested.
[One shot, one kill.](http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/blarmysniperschool.htm)
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### Author:  [@MikeRochenelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeRochenelle)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/11 "2003-03-29T20:06:41Z")
I have to tear out the door to my stupid retail hell job, so I’ll post this without much comment. It’s fairly long, but read the whole thing anyway. The last bit is worth it.
The only comment I will make is that I know I could never make a good sniper. I lack both the mentioned physical flexibility and the mental ability to take another life, when I personally am in no danger. I would not be able to pull the trigger.
> **[Sniper Training in the Military - Sniper Country](https://www.snipercountry.com/long-range-shooting/)**
>
> Sniper training in the military is a career that not everyone can succeed in. Read our article to learn more about it and what it takes to be a good sniper.
[SniperCountry.com](http://SniperCountry.com) is a good website for those interested in snipers and sniping - check it out.
-Ben
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### Author:  [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)
#### Post date: [March 29, 2003, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/12 "2003-03-29T22:10:46Z")
For more info read up on **Carlos Hathcock**.
He knew a thing or two about sniping…
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/13 "2003-03-30T02:05:08Z")
Meanwhile, back to the OP…
Yes it’s perfectly acceptable to use “snipe” as a verb, or “sniped” as the past tense.
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### Author:  [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/14 "2003-03-30T02:08:14Z")
Yes, but according to [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com), it’s only an intransitive verb. So “he just sniped that man” would be incorrect.
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### Author:  [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/15 "2003-03-30T02:09:40Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by acropolis \*
> \*\*The word “sniper” got its meaning from a small bird: the Snipe. To shoot one involved great accuracy and skill. So to use the word “snipe” as a verb would be incorrect. \*\*
Isn’t the Snipe a purely fictional bird at the center of a popular practical joke?
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [March 30, 2003, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snipers/164925/16 "2003-03-30T02:14:52Z")
It is a popular practical joke in areas where snipe aren’t found, but it _is_\* a real bird, too. It’s erratic flying makes it extremely difficult to shoot. Here’s a nice [article](http://espn.go.com/outdoors/general/columns/swan_james/1306674.html)on the subject of both the joke and the real thing.