If you're watching a naval-themed movie and somebody says "fire a (name of weapon", that's amateur.
On naval ships, the word "fire" refers to unplanned conflagrations: "Fire on the Flight Deck!" "Fire in the Galley."
The only exception to that is when the word "fire" is coupled with "room": The "Fireroom" (one word) is where the boilers are on an oil-fired ship.
"Fires" (plural) refers to the act of getting a boiler going: "Light fires in 1 Alpha Boiler." "Fires lighted in 1 Alpha Boiler."
If you're going to (or have) discharge a weapon, the word is "Shoot".
If a newbie uses the word "fire" in that context, everyone else who heard that will start making fun of it: "Ready to fire Mount 51." "Oh my God, there's a fire in Mount 51."
I can't think of the movie's name right now, but a few months back, I watched a naval movie in which the characters said "fire" so much, that I almost needed to visit an ophthalmologist to unroll my eyes.
(My hazy recollection is that Sink the Bismarck! got it right.)
The Ambush
4 hours ago
1 comment:
I honestly don't remember if "Shoot" was preferred from my time in a carrier's CDC, but I do recall that countdowns omitted the number "Five" because it could be confused for "Fire".
(Also just wanted to point out you use "Fire" instead of "Shoot" twice in your blog header. Peace.)
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