Curse

Xue Yi Liang · Nov 23, 2005, 08:59 PM // 20:59

This thread is for "dumb questions" about anything you might have, but might have been afraid to ask. Feel free to post any dumb questions or answers to any questions listed here. A little bit of ridicule is permitted as long as it's not cruel.

I'll start with my dumb question.

I never read "The Three Musketeers," but I always wondered why they're called "musketeers" when, in the movies, they fight with swords, not muskets ... why is that?

kitten · Nov 23, 2005, 09:10 PM // 21:10

heh. It's not a dumb question.

In the Dumas novel, the musketeers were part of the king's elite guard, who were trained to be expert sharpshooters. They used muskets. They wore swords, and were expert swordsman, because once you ran out of bullets and powder, or if the enemy got closer, you went to "hand to hand" combat.

You are most familiar (possibly) with the imagery of swordfights due to the movies. Frankly, an intricate sword/rapier fight is more interesting and suspensful the some people shooting at each other.

Aracos79 · Nov 23, 2005, 09:13 PM // 21:13

Gunpowder really changed the way that soldiers were trained. Prior to that, it took a lot of time and practice to learn to use a bow, or a sword. But you could train someone fairly quickly to use a musket. Losing a group of trained archers would be devastating, as it would take years to train replacements to a high level of accuracy. But gunpowder and firearms changed all that.

unamed player · Nov 23, 2005, 09:35 PM // 21:35

Crossbows were still efficient at the time and not as skill demanding as bows. Guns became more popular because of the abundance of saltpeter as opposed to wood. Also, the fact that it had a slightly better preparation time than a crossbow. The guns at that time also didnt penetrate as well as a bolt. It took a generation or two before guns were perfected and became mainstream. Which is why the military hadnt gone through a total reform and they still relied on swords (besides the fact of loading time) . Melee weapons became obsolete with artillery which stemmed from gunpowder research. If they cant hide in the castle while your bombing them..why use a sword?

Even later guns like the rifles with bayonets used in WW1. We cant resist stabbing eachother it seems. Shooting someone is so impersonal

Xue Yi Liang · Nov 23, 2005, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitten

heh. It's not a dumb question.

In the Dumas novel, the musketeers were part of the king's elite guard, who were trained to be expert sharpshooters. They used muskets. They wore swords, and were expert swordsman, because once you ran out of bullets and powder, or if the enemy got closer, you went to "hand to hand" combat.

You are most familiar (possibly) with the imagery of swordfights due to the movies. Frankly, an intricate sword/rapier fight is more interesting and suspensful the some people shooting at each other.

Thank you.
I can sleep soundly tonight ...

chris_nin00 · Nov 23, 2005, 10:17 PM // 22:17

What's the difference between a duck and a goose?

Green Booger · Nov 23, 2005, 10:25 PM // 22:25

i think duck is just a name for the animal and goose is the male, geese is the female......... whats a homoerectus?

Xue Yi Liang · Nov 23, 2005, 10:27 PM // 22:27

I think a goose is a distinctly different animal. They're bigger than ducks. GB was probably thinking of "duck" and "drake."

d4nowar · Nov 23, 2005, 10:44 PM // 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Booger

i think duck is just a name for the animal and goose is the male, geese is the female......... whats a homoerectus?

I believe it is the stage of evolution where the ape-like creatures first stood on their hind legs. Of course you'll have to believe in evolution to believe that.

Why do dogs eat their own vomit?

Armada Hunter · Nov 24, 2005, 12:49 AM // 00:49

Id have to say that dogs have a very low mental capacity and they forget what they did. Then recognize it and smell it as food, so they eat it. Stupid dogs.

How much wood could a wood-chuck chuck if a wood-chuck could chuck wood?

chris_nin00 · Nov 24, 2005, 12:53 AM // 00:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by d4nowar

Why do dogs eat their own vomit?

My dog did that when she gave birth 2 times!
Yeah I know, my dog is a RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO.

Shimus DarkRaven · Nov 24, 2005, 02:48 AM // 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armada Hunter

Id have to say that dogs have a very low mental capacity and they forget what they did. Then recognize it and smell it as food, so they eat it. Stupid dogs.

How much wood could a wood-chuck chuck if a wood-chuck could chuck wood?

Not much, because mr.Chuck was a smoker who had a bad case of asthma.

If you go the speed of light and go one more mile per hour faster, can you in essence go back in time through the black rift since no light exists there?

--The Shim

nicky nightmare · Nov 24, 2005, 02:55 AM // 02:55

hmmmm must use my nonexistant physics knowledge to answer that one............ lol

how much green is needed to buy a gold bar?

Shimus DarkRaven · Nov 24, 2005, 02:55 AM // 02:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicky nightmare

hmmmm must use my nonexistant physics knowledge to answer that one............ lol

how much green is needed to buy a gold bar?

It all depends if the purchase was point of sale or a credit charge...

--The Shim

Green Booger · Nov 24, 2005, 03:05 AM // 03:05

why do people think drugs are kool? Also, why do middle skool fags that talk sh** a lot say they do drugs when they really dont?

SilenceWeaver · Nov 24, 2005, 03:36 AM // 03:36

what does ftw mean?

Old Dood · Nov 24, 2005, 03:39 AM // 03:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilenceWeaver

what does ftw mean?

For the Win

When I was younger and I'll bet there are a few here that will tell you that meant something totally different.

Old Dood · Nov 24, 2005, 03:40 AM // 03:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Booger

why do people think drugs are kool? Also, why do middle skool fags that talk sh** a lot say they do drugs when they really dont?

Why do people say things like FAG? That is very offensive!

nightrunner · Nov 24, 2005, 05:33 AM // 05:33

Because they don't think before they say anything.

Why did Xue post the same game I did before?

Aracos79 · Nov 24, 2005, 05:47 AM // 05:47

How did a groundhog become a weatherman?