Jeff Cooper on the use of the word "tactical"

[Uncle Bill]

As an amateur of semantics, I am increasingly annoyed by the use of the word "tactical" as an adjective to apply to everything from fishing tackle to potato soup. Some people obviously believe that if you paint anything black, that makes it "tactical." Perhaps if you paint it red it would become "strategic." I once did a little book called "Fighting Handguns" for Petersen Publications. Perhaps it is time to redo the pictures and captions and retitle it "Tactical Handguns."

In short, tactical = fighting = tactical = fighting.

While I agree with his basic thought here, I have to correct Mr. Cooper on one small point. Potato soup can indeed be tactical. Once, in a childish moment many years ago, I threw part of a baked potato at someone. Solid hit. Problem solved. Of course I didn't realize at the time that I had deployed a Spec Ops Recon SEAL-issue Boarder Patrol Sentry Strike Zone Enforcer Tactical S.P.U.D., but that in fact is what it was. Takes my breath away.

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Bill

Unfortunate but Increasingly Necessary Disclaimer:

While this post likely contains incorrect information, fuzzy logic, poor grammar and misspelled words, what it does not contain is intentional malevolence toward anyone.

[This message has been edited by Uncle Bill (edited 21 November 1999).]

 

[D. Epstein]

Labels are wonderful things. They sell product and really impress impressionable people. Just call something tactical and "tac" on another $40. Funny thing is a tactical folder with it's thick grind and geometric tanto profile works less well than traditional knives for most practical applications.

Hey! I just invented a new type of knife!

The Practical Folder (tm)

I think I'll do a collaboration with Benchmade.


Main Entry: tac·ti·cal
Pronunciation: 'tak-ti-k&l
Function: adjective
Date: 1570
1 : of or relating to combat tactics: as a (1) : of or occurring at the battlefront <tactical defense> <tactical first strike> (2) : using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront <tactical missiles> b of an air force : of, relating to, or designed for air attack in close support of friendly ground forces
2 a : of or relating to tactics: as (1) : of or relating to small-scale actions serving a larger purpose (2) : made or carried out with only a limited or immediate end in view b : adroit in planning or maneuvering to accomplish a purpose



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Oderint dum metuant

 

[Razoredj]

As an aside, while I like Jeff Cooper's columns, and he is right far more often than he is wrong, his general attitude is one of, "it's only correct if it we did it the same way back in my day." To Cooper, anything smaller than a .45 won't kill you, women should be in the kitchen making themselves useful, and the Steyr Scout is the perfect rifle for damn near everything, but especially for hunting dinosaurs.

I may not be doing him justice, but he can be a crusty old goat sometimes. Though most of the time that is indeed part of his charm.

Razor

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AKTI #A000845
And tomorrow when you wake up it will be worse.



[This message has been edited by Razoredj (edited 21 November 1999).]