# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/21 "2014-04-23T20:17:41Z")
Without reading the thread and just relying on memory - _Blitzkrieg_ means “lightning war” in German. It was the battle doctrine for Nazi Germany in WWII, where they tried to avoid the stalemate of WWI by first attacking with their airplanes, then following up with tanks. The infantry then moved in to complete the conquest of the territory. They conquered France in about six weeks this way. The French relied on the Maginot Line, which the Nazis bypassed by invading (I think) Belgium. After that, it was a rather overwhelming victory for the bad guys. Regards, Shodan ---
**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, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/22 "2014-04-23T20:19:30Z")
This thread is going to turn into a huge pile of unread correct answers. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/23 "2014-04-23T20:21:14Z")
Blitz- lightening. Kreig- war. The German strategy of using heavy concentrations of Armor to penetrate defenses then exploit them. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/24 "2014-04-23T20:22:58Z")
Lightning war. Attacking as suddenly, violently, and surreptitiously as possible to inflict the maximum damage in the minimum time. Used by the Nazi invaders. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/25 "2014-04-23T20:24:36Z")
From the German “lightning war”, meaning a surprise tank-based invasion or offensive that attempts to quickly overwhelm the opponent’s defenses. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/26 "2014-04-23T20:26:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > 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? “Shitstorm” / German / German nighttime bombing raids on London, WW2. ---
**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, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/27 "2014-04-23T20:27:35Z")
Without checking any reference sort: define and give the significance of the word “shibboleth.” _Asking the SDMB a medium-easy factual question._ ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/28 "2014-04-23T20:28:18Z")
It owed mostly to the stupendous von Hutier Tactics of 1917; but needed the traditional German _Auftragstaktik_ ( subordinates use their own initiative fluidly as opposed to rigid control ) dating from before v. Moltke the Elder to be effective. However Napoleon and the other French generals of the Revolution earlier combined exceptional speed and terror in their aggression. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/29 "2014-04-23T20:29:21Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > 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? I may not be typical. A lifelong interest in history and military history. Decades spent in uniform including quite a few years in Armor. Its kind of in my wheel house. > [@silenus](#): > > “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. It was not coined by Guderian and wasn’t even an official doctrinal term. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/30 "2014-04-23T20:30:26Z")
I believe it’s from German for “lightning war.” I believe it was used in reference to air raids. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/31 "2014-04-23T20:33:48Z")
Lightning war. Rolling the fuck over Poland. ---
**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, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/32 "2014-04-23T20:35:15Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Lightning war. Rolling the fuck over Poland. Not to mention treating Belgium like my pit bull treats screen doors. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/33 "2014-04-23T20:46:24Z")
> [@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.” Because there’s nothing more lightning-like than a stone wall. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/34 "2014-04-23T20:58:08Z")
Without cheating, I was familiar with the historical context, but I somehow didn’t remember that blitz meant “lightning.” I’ll add that I vaguely remember hearing the word in the context of chess back when I played, but much less common than simply “blitz,” either as a strategy or simply the common name for a quick timed game. Blitz, of course, is popular in sports, although I can’t say I’ve ever heard it followed by “kreig.” I’d be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was trying to make a sports reference and inadvertently invoked Godwin. ---
**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, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/35 "2014-04-23T21:01:45Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > Without cheating, I was familiar with the historical context, but I somehow didn’t remember that blitz meant “lightning.” I’ll add that I vaguely remember hearing the word in the context of chess back when I played, but much less common than simply “blitz,” either as a strategy or simply the common name for a quick timed game. Blitz, of course, is popular in sports, although I can’t say I’ve ever heard it followed by “kreig.” I’d be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume he was trying to make a sports reference and inadvertently invoked Godwin. Is there a sports figure named Stonewall Jackson? I’m not being sarcastic there; I don’t follow any sport. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/36 "2014-04-23T21:02:27Z")
> [@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.” Oddly enough, the US Civil War did provide one of the ancestors of blitzkrieg, though it was on the Union side in Sherman’s March to the Sea. ETA: > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Is there a sports figure named Stonewall Jackson? > > I’m not being sarcastic there; I don’t follow any sport. [Stonewall Jackson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_Jackson). ETA again: Seriously? ---
**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, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/37 "2014-04-23T21:05:20Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Oddly enough, the US Civil War did provide one of the ancestors of blitzkrieg, though it was on the Union side in Sherman’s March to the Sea. Which is why I said upthread that, if you were going to be as off-base as the memo’s writer, you could have at least written Sherman. And I didn’t need your Wikipedia cite. The fact that Sherman’s death by friendly fire always strikes me as faintly humorous is probably part of the reason I am a bad person. Knowing who Jackson was and when he lived was part of the reason the memo caught my attention. It was nearly as incongruous as saying “We’re going to follow the example of Hannibal,” etc. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/38 "2014-04-23T21:07:18Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > The fact that Sherman’s death by friendly fire always strikes me as faintly humorous is probably part of the reason I am a bad person. _Now_ who’s mixing up Jackson and Sherman? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2014, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/39 "2014-04-23T21:10:45Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Is there a sports figure named Stonewall Jackson? > > I’m not being sarcastic there; I don’t follow any sport. Oh, I didn’t realize that was the actual quote. In that case, the guy sounds like a dummy. ---
**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, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798/40 "2014-04-23T21:12:18Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > _Now_ who’s mixing up Jackson and Sherman? 😉 Don’t make me release the bees. ETA: Ah, who am I kidding? I’ve already pressed the button. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-checking-any-reference-source-define-and-give-the-significance-of-the-word-blitzkrieg/686798.md?page=3)