# Without checking any reference source: define and give the significance of the word "blitzkrieg." **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798 "2014-04-23T19:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/1 "2014-04-23T19:37:03Z")
Why? Because I just read a memo using the term in a context that leads me to suspect that the memo’s author believes the Second World War was fought between the armies of Mordor and Persia. I would have thought that every college-educated adult in the United States–hell, every middle school graduate in the US–would know at least the basics of the term, but perhaps I was wrong. Or perhaps the memo-writer is the rule-proving exception. Anyway: without checking any reference source other than your own brain, what does the word “blitzkrieg” mean, what language does it come from, and what is its historical significance? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/2 "2014-04-23T19:39:11Z")
Lightning strike, german and it was a description of german tactics? tanks? something germanish in WWII. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/3 "2014-04-23T19:39:46Z")
lightening war. its the tactics used by Germany to overwhelm opposing armies. It was a combination of infantry and armored divisions. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/4 "2014-04-23T19:40:27Z")
Uhh, from German: “Lightning War”. Describes the German strategy of a massive and unstoppable invasion of another country. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/5 "2014-04-23T19:40:49Z")
German for “Lightning War”. It describes early WWII German tactics of relying on fast-moving fronts with an emphasis on armor and air power. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/6 "2014-04-23T19:41:03Z")
It means “Lightning War” in German. It was the tactic successfully employed by the Germans in the early part of WWII of a rapid advance to overwhelm the enemy by sheer speed. Am I correct? ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/7 "2014-04-23T19:43:02Z")
Yep, “lightning war.” German term in World War II used to describe their quick-strike capability using mobile armor (i.e., tanks) and airplanes. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/8 "2014-04-23T19:45:34Z")
I see the question has been answered correctly, unanimously, and abundantly. 😛 Now may we have context, **Skald**? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/9 "2014-04-23T19:46:10Z")
Blitzkrieg = Lightning war Refers to a tactic of rapid advance by armored vehicles with infantry support intended to keep opposing forces off-balance, and was emplyed with considerable success by Germany during the early stages of World War II. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/10 "2014-04-23T19:46:40Z")
“lighting war” - WWII ; comes from German ; means, I think, a rapid offensive strike taking the enemy by surprise and basically just crushing them quickly and unexpectedly. Best I can do from my brain alone. Posting so I can check everyone else’s answers… ETA - I didn’t do to badly. Go me! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/11 "2014-04-23T19:46:50Z")
“Lightning war” Coined by Hans Guderian, I believe. Combined arms tactic designed to punch through the enemy lines rather than conducting a front long assault. Devastatingly effective in the early days of WW2. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/12 "2014-04-23T19:47:07Z")
C’mon, you’re talking to someone with an advanced degree from The Military Channel. “Lightning War”. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/13 "2014-04-23T19:48:08Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Anyway: without checking any reference source other than your own brain, what does the word “blitzkrieg” mean, what language does it come from, and what is its historical significance? German, something like “lightning attack,” referencing I think tank invasions of other countries by the Nazis (Poland, maybe?) and used more broadly to talk about sudden, massive, coordinated efforts. Learned from my eighth grade English teacher. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/14 "2014-04-23T19:50:10Z")
Blitzkrieg- translated means “Lightning War”. Blitzkrieg was the German operational concept embodying the use of fast-moving armored spearheads to break through enemy lines and rapidly penetrate into rear areas, destroying lines of communication, supplies and generally wreaking havoc. Developed by Heinz Guderian, based on his interpretation of B.H. Liddell Hart’s earlier works about mobile warfare. Practiced most successfully by the German Army up through 1943, and then notably by George Patton and Norman Schwartzkopf. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/15 "2014-04-23T19:50:33Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Blitzkrieg- translated means “Lightning War”. > > Blitzkrieg was the German strategic concept embodying the use of fast-moving armored spearheads to break through enemy lines and rapidly penetrate into rear areas, destroying lines of communication, supplies and generally wreaking havoc. Developed by Heinz Guderian, based on his interpretation of B.H. Liddell Hart’s earlier works about mobile warfare. Practiced most successfully by the German Army up through 1943, and then notably by George Patton and Norman Schwartzkopf. I’d add that spreading terror was a major element as well. Blitzkrieg was as much about convincing the other side that no defense was possible as anything else; at least, that’s what I remember being taught by the Christian Brothers, back in the day. > [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I see the question has been answered correctly, unanimously, and abundantly. 😛 > > Now may we have context, **Skald**? 🙂 It was something like “We are going to follow the example of Stonewall Jackson and blitzkrieg our customers to meet our revenue goals this quarter.” ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/16 "2014-04-23T19:51:54Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > It was something like “We are going to follow the example of Stonewall Jackson and blitzkrieg our customers to meet our revenue goals this quarter.” Wow. Why can I suddenly taste paint chips? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/17 "2014-04-23T19:55:44Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > Wow. Why can I suddenly taste paint chips? :smack: I wouldn’t know, but the Stonewall Jackson thing that made the reference especially egregious. If you were gonna be that far off, couldn’t you at least say Sherman? ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/18 "2014-04-23T19:55:44Z")
German for “lightning war,” and it refers to the fast-moving Panzer assaults that Germany used in WWII. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/19 "2014-04-23T20:01:40Z")
German for “Lightning war” meaning rapid assault with overwhelming force, leading to a rapid victory with lower casualties, better prepared for the next assault. From WWII. I’m currently reading Clausewitz, but I don’t think he’ll be mentioning it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/20 "2014-04-23T20:10:35Z")
Without reading responses: “Lightning strike” or “lightning attack” or something similar, of German origin. Was the tactic used by Germany in the early part of WWII to make rapid advances through Europe. Basically just plowing ahead with fast moving tanks and pushing your way past (or around) the defenses until you were well into the heart of it all. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798.md?page=2)