Point blank?

[Norskie]

I've heard that the term 'point blank' comes from elevation of the piece in cannoneering. If this is so, were there other 'points' used? Were they numerical; e.g. 'point one' and so forth?
I write fiction and might need this for verisimilitude (a fancy word for a convincing lie).
Moose

 

[WRussell]

Wikipedia has an interesting and convincing explanation of the origin of the term.

 

[greenneck]

Very interesting read on Wikipedia indeed. Thanks.

Steve

 

[Norskie]

The wiki article is good, but it doesn't go deep enough. I guess my question is more linguistic than historical. It's nice to know they were calling it 'point blank primitive' but this just raises more questions. 'Primitive'? What dey mean, 'primitive'?
If the term comes from the French, then 'blank' may mean 'white'. If from English, it may mean 'zero'(although I would expect it to be 'point naught', if that were the case. :hmm: )
Thanks for the lead, folks. I'll report back on this if'n I find any more info.
Moose

 

[sagebrush2401]

The wiki article is good, but it doesn't go deep enough. I guess my question is more linguistic than historical. It's nice to know they were calling it 'point blank primitive' but this just raises more questions. 'Primitive'? What dey mean, 'primitive'?
If the term comes from the French, then 'blank' may mean 'white'. If from English, it may mean 'zero'(although I would expect it to be 'point naught', if that were the case. :hmm: )
Thanks for the lead, folks. I'll report back on this if'n I find any more info.
Moose

Hope this help.



Top Web Results for "primitive"


10 results for: primitive
View results from: Dictionary | Thesaurus | Encyclopedia | All Reference | the Web
[url] Dictionary.com[/url] Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
prim·i·tive /ˈprɪmɪtɪv/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[prim-i-tiv] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
”“adjective 1. being the first or earliest of the kind or in existence, esp. in an early age of the world: primitive forms of life.
2. early in the history of the world or of humankind.
3. characteristic of early ages or of an early state of human development: primitive toolmaking.
4. Anthropology. of or pertaining to a preliterate or tribal people having cultural or physical similarities with their early ancestors: no longer in technical use.
5. unaffected or little affected by civilizing influences; uncivilized; savage: primitive passions.
6. being in its earliest period; early: the primitive phase of the history of a town.
7. old-fashioned: primitive ideas and habits.
8. simple; unsophisticated: a primitive farm implement.
9. crude; unrefined: primitive living conditions.
10. Linguistics. a. of or pertaining to a form from which a word or other linguistic form is derived; not derivative; original or radical.
b. of or pertaining to a protolanguage.
c. of or pertaining to a linguistic prime.

GOOD LUCK

 

[Norskie]

I found a reference to 'point blank' in an old dictionary. The word 'blank' evidently did link up to French for 'white'. The reference was from English archery; the white was the center of the archery target. This may date to when Norman French was being blended into English.
Moose

 

[bezoar]

http://www.angelfire.com/ga4/guilmartin.com/Weapons.html

The page is an interesting read, but its the best description of "point blank" i can find. "Trajectory will recross the line of sight". Simple really and the diagram has decent information on simple gunners quadraunt.