Why are tanks called tanks?
The British took the lead in developing the armored vehicle now known as the tank. On 24 December 1915, a meeting took place of the British Inter-Departmental Conference to discuss the progress of the plans for what were described as "Caterpillar Machine Gun Destroyers or Land Cruisers." It was agreed that "it was very desirable to retain secrecy by all means, and proposed to refer to the vessel as a "Water Carrier." In Government offices, committees and departments were always known by their initials. But the proposed title was considered totally unsuitable (in British English "WC" = toilet) In the search for a synonymous term, they changed the word "Water Carrier" to "Tank."
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
31 Comments
tdelisi
Yeah Nick but who cares?? Actually I do. Thanks for more details. So many responders are so freaking flippant here thinking there point is so obvious. I thought this was a place where people LIKE the process of learning or teaching but apparently not all share this view.
DannyBoy
11-E-10? That's what I was in the Army. A Tank Driver. Tank Hill Ft. Benning GA.
tdelisi
Obviously not you. A strange reply.
isabella bashir
I'm not usually one for war questions but this was pretty interesting.
Satish Chandran
Germans wondered what was the harvester machine doing at a war front.
Joseph A. Robitaille
They were disguised as a water tank.
Rob Farr
A good history trivia question and explanation.
Garlon D. Jackson
DannyBoy, yep, I was 11E-40 FT. Hood And Vietnam 68-69.
Raashid Khan
War tactics are are commonly used in war.War comes with sufferings.
anthonygriffin
After reading the write-up on the "tank" & how it came into existence. I have to say, that it's a serious blue print that the British had in mind, to make & do battle with after planning it all out. But the name comes across as being very "humorous" by way of the title being used to identify the vehicle being put together for major war operations.
Aaron David
AND WHAT WOULD the English call the Brentwaters UFO case, if the USA had not had this name first "SWAMP GAS""
bill janice kernal
Well that was a good guess.
Neja Adams
Interesting.
Rose Newsome
I got it wrong
Ed Bona
maybe from storage tank.
tdelisi
Tanks (hah, thanks) Diane.
Diane Dolan
Tom DeLisi agree would like discussion too..but my understanding of trivia masters is that they are mostly narcissists and sociopaths..so ooo. Whatareyagonnado?
Diane Dolan
Daniel Halley tanks guys..i would like to drive one !