"Troop" and the Evolution of Words
by Dean
Words change over time. This is a universal in all languages. Despite the best efforts of teachers and grammarians everywhere, words change meaning. We can fight to retard or to shape this change, but we cannot stop it. For example, one of the English words I have noticed has changed its meaning is "troop."
Historically, it used to be that a group of cavalry was a "platoon," and a group of several platoons was a "troop," and a few troops made up a squadron or battalion. So if you sent two or three troops into a fight, you were sending a quite large number of men into battle.
But some time ago a slogan emerged of "support the troops." Now I do support the troops, but I have noticed that this slogan has apparently changed the definition of "troop." Increasingly, "a troop" is one single fighting man or woman. That individual is no longer even "a trooper," he or she is now just "a troop."
I notice that even retired Colonel Austin Bay has slipped into this usage. For example, in this recent excellent posting (which has nothing to do with this discussion but is nevertheless worth reading), Austin said:
Another one of the very smart troops says that should Pelosi-led investigations start in earnest, Rumsfeld is already two-months gone. A nice tactical political move, if the troop’s hunch is correct.
Oh really Colonel? A troop had a hunch? What, did someone take a poll? Did their commanding officer have anything to say? Were there any dissenters among the ranks?
;-)
This is meant to be humorous, and I hope Colonel Bay laughs. I think it just illustrates how words change their meaning over time even in military culture.
