Pre-Archaic Industrial Jargon

[Larry Sheldon]

On 3/10/2012 2:29 AM, Victor Steinbok wrote:

> Aside from "armored cavalry", which at least used to be a common
> reference to tank divisions, particularly in the WWII period, I've also
> heard "air cavalry" on more than one occasion. In contrast, troops using
> armored transports that are /not/ tanks, are AFAIK referred to as
> "motorized infantry". There is also some traditional status distinction
> between cavalry and infantry both in the US and Commonwealth Nations armies.

To me (I am and was neither) "cavalry" implies on (or in) a "machine:
(horse, tank) that is itself a part of the weapon, while "infantry"
implies boots on the ground, actually occupying space.  Helicopters,
trucks, landing craft, and so forth are ways to efficiently get the
boots to the ground they need to occupy.


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