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Where does the word "blitzkrieg" come from? It comes from German Blitz, passing through German before entering English (1939).
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Where does the word "blitzkrieg" come from? It comes from German Blitz, passing through German before entering English (1939).
Blitzkrieg’s story begins in German: Blitz meant “lightning.” Lightning, combined with Krieg (war). Within German, it grew into blitzkrieg by 1935. Coined for a military strategy of fast, overwhelming surprise attacks. It reached English by 1939 as blitzkrieg. British newspapers used it for the 1939 invasion of Poland; Londoners shortened it to 'the Blitz' for the 1940–41 bombing. Today, blitzkrieg means an intense, rapid military offensive intended to secure a swift victory.
- Stage 1 · German · medieval Blitz "lightning", lightning, combined with Krieg (war).
- Stage 2 · German · 1935 blitzkrieg "a fast, overwhelming military attack", coined for a military strategy of fast, overwhelming surprise attacks.
- Stage 3 · English · 1939 blitzkrieg "a rapid, intensive military attack", British newspapers used it for the 1939 invasion of Poland; Londoners shortened it to 'the Blitz' for the 1940–41 bombing.