flak

[Dave Wilton]

> Not at all - it's absolutely true.  "Flak" means exploding shells
> from antiaircraft artillery(something of a quaint notion in the
> missile era).

Not that quaint. Antiaircraft artillery is still very much in use,
especially for point defense against helicopters, low-flying fixed-wing
aircraft, and cruise missiles. The US Navy's Phalanx gun is a good example
of a very modern anti-aircraft gun.

> But "flak vest / jacket" as worn by ground troops reasonably
> allows for the idea that it merely means shrapnel, bullets, etc.

Of course, flak vests and jackets were first worn by aircrews in WWII, hence
the name.

--Dave Wilton
  dave at wilton.net
  http://www.wilton.net