Galloping Ghost's definitions

lancer

Napoleonic era. A type of light cavalry unit that was armed with a lance. They were used to harass retreating troops. Lances had been retired, but after a group of Polish lancers defeated an entire group of British forces, many countries brought the lance back in. Some countries, like Prussia, had Uhlans, which are the same thing.

We're screwed, it's the Polish lancers!

by Galloping Ghost June 16, 2005

lederhosen

From Germany, they are pants made of leather, hence "leder(leather) hosen(pants)."

I think my lederhosen are one size too small.

by Galloping Ghost June 21, 2005

cuirassier

Napoleonic era. A type of heavy cavalry that got its name from the cuirass, the French word for breast plate. The idea was large men upon powerful horses, who were able to charge head-on into the enemy and expose and flanks or holes left in the lines of infantry after an artillery barrage. They were equipped with a cuirass, a long sword, two pistols and eventually a carbine.

After the artillery finsished its barrage, the cuirassiers charged the broken lines of infantry.

by Galloping Ghost July 5, 2005