Wednesday, April 25, 2007

PoK: Going all Napoleonic on you



For each of the following types of 18th/19th century soldiers, tell their role in combat, any distinct weaponry or distinct dress, and the origin of the word:

1)Hussars
2)Sappers
3)Dragoons
4)Cuirassier
5)Grenadier
6)Carabinier
7)Lancer


Answers to Fabrics of the World


Tona did best, although she cheated on the origin question:
Tweed: wool
Taffeta: Silk
Linen: flax
Cords have wale
Seersucker is woven with a pucker in one direction so it looks pre-wrinkled.
I googled it, so I didn't know before, but it's fascinating that it comes from a Persian phrase "milk and sugar" (sheer o shakar). I thought it came from India, because it's cooler & usually thinner than regular cotton so it's a good tropical fabric.
How about houndstooth? Where does that come from?

I'm pretty sure that just refers to the pattern itself, but it's usually wool, often worsted wool. Right?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness all those hours of playing Age of Empires did not go to waste.
1.)Hussars are Austro-Hungarian Cavalry. I think they were armored lightly and carried swords. Trained to fight on horseback.
2.)Sappers were the people who blew stuff up. Like a sneaky assasin type who used dynamite on a cannon rather than poison on a general. (that knowledge came from Warcraft not AoE) No idea where they are from
3.)Dragoons were armed with early firearms. They got around on horseback, but were not trained to fight on horseback b/c it scared the horses. Don't know origin
4.)Cuirasser, these guys stayed on their horses with guns and armor. I think it's a French word
5.)Grenadier. Threw pomegranets at the enemy until someone pointed out that grenades did more damage. Then they started throwing those. Once again, I guess French
6.)Carabiner. I honestly don't know this one. Could be one who uses a carbine. Carbines were shorter and less efective than rifles but loads cheaper. I'm guessing early form of shock troops? Send them in running with guns blazing? No idea on origin
7.)Lancer-used a lance. Simple enough, great for charging on horseback in long lines, rubbish for close up, or being flanked. British in origin.

Dave Y said...

Not bad, Davey. Any comments on distinctive dress?

Disco Mom said...

I haven't checked in for a few days and it is just as well! I am LAME and don't know anything about soldiers, fabrics, or Turkey. Man!

Maren said...

What is this- Stump the Sisters?
Go Davey.

Anonymous said...

The thing is, Dave has LOTS of trivia in his brain, so even when he has a guys only week of questions, he will eventually come around to something the fairer sex will excel in. I have to defer the Napoleonic questions to the guys. I can only tell you that I wouldn't want to do face to face combat with any of these.

Anonymous said...

I had little metal British Soldiers when I was a kid, and AoE on a very low res monitor. I don't know much about costuming, that's my landlords/friends department.