speedog's definitions

turtle

Verb (nautical terminology): to capsize, as in a boat, ship, or other sea-going vessel.

After a merciless bombardment by American dive bombers, the Japanese superbattleship "Yamato" turned turtle and sank, taking nearly her entire crew to the bottom.

by speedog July 27, 2010

slight the colors

Phrase (military parlance): to deliberately present a captured enemy flag or banner in an insulting manner, most usually by inclining the supporting staff downwards so that the flag or banner itself touches the ground.

Following the surrender of the German Sixth Army at Stalingrad, the order was given by General Zhukov to slight the colors of the defeated German forces.

by speedog July 7, 2010

Easy A

Noun (American slang): a positive educational grade obtained by other than accepted academic means, usually via the granting of sexual favors, or other compensation, by the student to the educator who subsequently issues the grade.

Tracy was about to flunk science, until she got an Easy A after she hooked up with the science teacher.

by speedog June 22, 2010

self destruct

Verb: to voluntarily destroy oneself, and/or any property under ones control, in order to deny any advantage to ones enemy(ies).

"As the Soviet Army surrounded the Stalingrad bunker, Hitler gave the order to Field Marshall von Paulus to self destruct, which he disobeyed."

by speedog May 3, 2010

tortoise

Noun (ancient Roman military term): a battle tactic in which a squad of soldiers close ranks into a tight square and link their shields over their heads and at their sides all around, creating a nearly impenetrable formation which can advance and engage enemy positions at close range without taking heavy casualties.

During the battle at the Moon Gate in Alexandria, Caesar ordered the deployment of the tortoise formation to neutralize the enemy ballistas.

by speedog July 27, 2010