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blitz

a sudden, intense military attack, or any concentrated burst of effort

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Where does the word "blitz" come from? It comes from German Blitz, passing through German before entering English (1940).

Read the full story

Where does the word "blitz" come from? It comes from German Blitz, passing through German before entering English (1940).

Blitz’s story begins in German: Blitz meant “lightning.” Within German, it grew into Blitzkrieg by 1930s. Combining "Blitz" with "Krieg" (war), a rapid military offensive. It reached English by 1940 as blitz. Shortened during the German bombing campaign against Britain. Today, blitz means a sudden, intense military attack, or any concentrated burst of effort.

  1. Stage 1 · German · medieval Blitz "lightning", meaning "lightning".
  2. Stage 2 · German · 1930s Blitzkrieg "lightning war", combining "Blitz" with "Krieg" (war), a rapid military offensive.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1940 blitz "a sudden, intense attack or effort", shortened during the German bombing campaign against Britain.

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