In modern warfare, the objective is to sink the enemy’s ships. In the days of sailing ships the objective was to disable them with the intention of boarding them and possibly taking them over. Cannon shots were aimed not at the hull, but at the masts. Hit one of them and it will shake (or shiver). Etymology lesson concluded.
In modern warfare, the objective is to sink the enemy’s ships. In the days of sailing ships the objective was to disable them with the intention of boarding them and possibly taking them over. Cannon shots were aimed not at the hull, but at the masts. Hit one of them and it will shake (or shiver). Etymology lesson concluded.