infantry, cavalry in a modern context

English translation: ground forces, ground units, ground troops

10:05 Mar 26, 2003

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Military / Defense / military

English term or phrase: infantry, cavalry in a modern context

Politics aside, I am surprised to see on TV the modern usage of certain militray terms such as "infantry" or "cavalry", when obviously no-one is actually waging war on foot or an horses. In fact, a born civilian (like me) would simply refer to both of these units as "tanks"
Can someone explain the semantic evolution of these terms and what is now the actual difference between "infantry" and "cavalry"?

Csaba Ban KudoZ activity Questions: 661 (5 open) (8 closed without grading) Answers: 876 Hungary
Local time: 12:57

Selected answer:ground forces, ground units, ground troops

Explanation:
I thought we just used the word 'ground' to distinguish between all the other ways and means.
'foot soldiers' springs to mind
'tank unit/division'...

sorry no research, just happened to read your question, and this is what came to mind.

I'm sure someone will give you the full low down on infantry/cavalry.

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Note added at 2003-03-26 10:36:44 (GMT)
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Glossary of terms:
http://www.glosters.org.uk/glossary.html

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Note added at 2003-03-26 10:42:01 (GMT)
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Glossary of terms:
http://www.glosters.org.uk/glossary.html

The president arrived at Fort Hood, about 90 minutes from his Crawford, Texas, ranch, with an array of heavy-duty, sand-colored military hardware readied for his inspection. Along with troops in formation, Bush was given a demonstration of an Abrams tank, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a mobile command center, an Apache helicopter and a Paladin howitzer.

The installation is home to the 1st Cavalry Division, a highly mobile unit that relies on helicopters and tanks.

Selected response from:

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:57

Grading comment

Thanks for both of you. I just imagined what words I would use if I had to translate these terms into my native language (Hungarian): "infantry" is literally "walking (unit)", whereas "cavalry" is "horse-mounted (unit)"
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +1

As to fighting on foot, there is nothing obsolete about that.

Fuad Yahya

3 +1

ground forces, ground units, ground troops

jerrie

Answers

3 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

As to fighting on foot, there is nothing obsolete about that.

Explanation:
I think that that sense of "infantry" will never go out of date.

Cavalry is defined as "a highly mobile army unit using vehicular transport, such as light armor and helicopters."

American Heritage Dictionary

Fuad Yahya
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Arabic,

English
PRO pts in category: 7

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

ground forces, ground units, ground troops

jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:57
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

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