Blitz Is the German Word for Lightning
A blitz is an intense sudden campaign. The word came into English from Blitzkrieg, and Londoners applied it to the bombing they endured in 1940.
A blitz is a sudden intensive effort or attack. The word is German for lightning, clipped from *Blitzkrieg*, lightning war. The English use was turned back on its source: Londoners called the sustained German bombing of 1940 and 1941 *the Blitz*, taking the attacker's word for the experience of being attacked. It now covers advertising campaigns, tidying sessions and a defensive play in American football.
- An intensive campaign. *A media blitz.*
- The Blitz — the bombing of Britain in 1940 and 1941. *He grew up during the Blitz.*
- A concentrated effort. *A blitz on the paperwork.*
- In American football — a rush at the quarterback. *A safety blitz.*
- Blitzkrieg — lightning war. *Blitzkrieg tactics.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | blitz | An ad blitz. |
| Verb | blitz | Blitz the kitchen. |
| German | Blitz | Lightning. |
| German | Blitzkrieg | Lightning war. |
| Adjective | blitzed | Blitzed the field. |
- The campaign launched with a publicity blitz.Marketing.
- She sheltered in the Underground during the Blitz.History.
- Let's blitz the garage this weekend.Informal effort.
German words English took in wartime
- Blitz — from Blitzkrieg
- Flak — from *Fliegerabwehrkanone*, anti-aircraft gun, now meaning criticism
- Ersatz — substitute, and usually inferior
- Strafe — from a propaganda slogan, now meaning to fire on from the air
- U-boat — from *Unterseeboot*
German *Blitz*, lightning, clipped from *Blitzkrieg*. English recorded it in 1940, and the Blitz as a name for the bombing campaign dates from the same year.
Does blitz mean lightning?
Yes, in German. English took it from Blitzkrieg, lightning war, and generalised it to any sudden intensive effort.
Where does flak come from?
From the German abbreviation for anti-aircraft gun. Taking flak came to mean receiving criticism.