shock & awe

[Carl Remick]

>From: "C. G. Estabrook" <galliher at alexia.lis.uiuc.edu>
>
>On Mon, 27 Jan 2003, Jordan Hayes wrote:
>
> > > They're calling it "A-Day," A as in airstrikes ...
> >
> > Pop quiz: what does the 'D' in 'D-Day' mean?
>
>Nothing -- just a matter of emphasis: D-Day, H-Hour, etc.
>(Cf. tea-time...)  --CGE

The US Army says:  "The terms D-day and H-hour are used for the day and hour 
on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. They designate the 
day and hour of the operation when the day and hour have not yet been 
determined, or where secrecy is essential. The letters are derived from the 
words for which they stand, 'D' for the day of the invasion and 'H' for the 
hour operations actually begin." 
<http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/faq/ddaydef.htm>

While it's never safe to argue with the US Army, a dictionary I checked says 
D-Day means Deployment Day.  This source offers no other definition for 
H-Hour, but (knowing the military mind as I do) my suggestion for an 
alternative definition would be Happy Hour ;-)

Carl

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