Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: SaxxonWoods

Oh. Thanks. I must be thinking of a different word.


36 posted on 01/09/2021 1:11:17 PM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, demonicRATS would have no standards at all.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies ]


To: Texas Eagle; SaxxonWoods; All
You are both correct in your usage of the word "petard".

Petard was a small explosive bomb used to breach a wall or door or gate in early modern warfare.

However, when petard is used as an idiom, it means to be undone by (or be the victim of) one's own schemes.

Hoisted by or on one's own petard means caught by the very device one had contrived to hurt another.

The idiomatic usage originated with Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, written in 1600.

Hamlet, upon learning of a plot to kill him, contemplates how to turn the tables against the plotters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

The phrase "hoist with one's own petard" thus meant "to be blown up with one's own bomb." It became a commonplace expression in 17th century English.

59 posted on 01/09/2021 2:12:14 PM PST by HotHunt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson