Soldiiers...

[fajrdrako]

I was reading an article about American deserters which brashley46 linked to today, and I paused at this sentence: "The Pentagon says that a total of 40,000 troops have deserted their posts (not simply those serving in Iraq) since the year 2000."

I've seen this usage before, but only very recently - has 'troop' come to mean the same as 'soldier'? Surely they don't mean that 40,000 squads have deserted? It must be individuals, right? (I know the US army is big, but it can't be that big...)

Comments

[msilverstar]

Isn't it a strange usage? It's been around for a while. I think they invented it just in order to not have to say "soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and marines".

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I guess so - it covers all the angles! Makes me stop and blink every time, though.

[majkia.livejournal.com]

The term 'troop' is used because it is far more inclusive than is 'soldier.' Soldier refers only to the Army. Air Force folks are airmen, Marines are marines, Navy folks are sailors.

TAC trained killer, retired USAF

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It makes a certain logistical sense. I just have to get used to it!

[teenygozer.livejournal.com]

I understand that it's inclusive and that's why they do that, but it's oddly de-humanizing to my ears. Theoretically, one could say, "Hi, I'm a troop," no? That does sound silly, though.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

We'll see if it is something our ears get used to, or if the word fades away into disuse as a failed experiment in language.

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

in Dutch the word "troep" (more or less same pronounciation) stands a group of 'manschappen' as part of the army'. (manschappen is more inclusive than soldier). But on the other hand it can also stand for just the arms-carrying part of such a group. In plural form (troepen) the totality of the army.

I have never seen it use individually to use for an individual. This most likely becaue it also means "a mess" (like 'what a mess you made of your room',
Likewise it can also mean a company of actors

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Languages change as linguistics needs change - or by whim. Interesting about the Dutch. Love its meaning as 'a mess' - plenty of scope for puns there! As for the word meaning 'actors', we have the word in English too, but we spell it 'troupe' instead of 'troop'. And it still means a 'group' in the different contexts.