Juju Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 Quick question for those 'in the know.' The Panzerfaust (tank-fist) and Panzerschreck (tank scare. Well, sort of) both got these cliche-German heroic awe-inspiring names, but the US bazooka is simply called a bazooka. Ba-zoo-ka. Sounds kinda dumb when you pronounce it like that. Not in the least scary. When I was a kid we had chewing gum called bazooka. It was pink. The question is: Why's a bazooka called a bazooka? What's it actually mean? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Juju: The question is: Why's a bazooka called a bazooka? <hr></blockquote> The answer is: because Panzerfaust and Panzer schreck were already taken. Besides, they wouldn't have made much sense to English speakers. Hope that clears things up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunnergoz Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 It's thought to be named after a comedic musical instrument played by a contemporary American entertainer from the '30's or '40's; I forget his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer_Meyer Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 LOL, damn, good question. Now that you menton it, I wonder myself. Any grogs now what it stands for? BA Zoo, the zoo part. Anything to in common with a zoo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedy Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 My understanding was that some entertainer had a homemade one man band instrument that was called 'Bazooka'. And for some reason that name was also given to the bazooka rocket launcher thingy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by gunnergoz: It's thought to be named after a comedic musical instrument played by a contemporary American entertainer from the '30's or '40's; I forget his name.<hr></blockquote> Bob something...Bob Burns, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Dorosh Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 As for dramatic sounding names, I always wonder when I hear Matt Damon yell out "Panzerschreck" in SPR. Allied troops habitually referred to German anti-tank weapons as "bazookas" also; not sure if that included the Yanks, but Canadian regimental histories seem to refer to "German bazookas" a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffsmith Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 Bob "Bazooka" Burns, The Arkansas Traveler 1890 - 1956 As Van Buren's turn-of-the-century Main Street has been so wonderfully revived, it is also appropriate to remember this town's biggest star who happened to live his early life right on these very brick streets. Bob Burns became famous during the 1930's and '40's as the strapping, ruddy-faced comedian who had radio audiences from coast-to-coast bellylaughing at fanciful yarns about his kinfolk and old pals back in Arkansas. But Burns is probably best remembered for the unique, homemade musical instrument he invented and dubbed the "Bazooka." In fact, because the strange horn was so well known, WWII combat soldiers nicknamed the Army's new shoulder-held rocket launcher the "bazooka," because of its blunderbuss appearance -- just like Burns' popular horn. Burns, whose given name was Robin Burn, was born in 1890 in nearby Greenwood, Arkansas. When Bob was three the Burn family moved to Van Buren, where they lived in a modest, two-story home that still stands today. Musically inclined, young Burns was playing trombone and cornet in Van Buren's Queen City Silver Cornet Band before the age of 12 and, by 13, had formed his own string band. During practice one night in the back of Hayman's Plumbing Shop, Burns picked up a length of gas pipe and blew into it, making a sound something like a "wounded moose." Burns didn't know it yet, but he had just changed his life. Burns named his invention the "bazooka" (from "bazoo" meaning a windy fellow). Practicing constantly, Burns became good enough to play it in the Silver Cornet Band. Although many others tried, including some of the world's greatest musicians, he was the only one who could play it. With little luck as an extra, Burns undertook a type of show business he hadn't tried before. He auditioned with one of Los Angeles' largest radio stations. After preparing 10 minutes of material for the audition, Burns was told he had 30 minutes to fill. When it was over, the managers told him they hated the first 10 minutes but loved the rest -- the stories and chatter that Bob had desperately ad-libbed in between tunes on his bazooka. He became "Soda Pop" on an afternoon radio show called The Fun Factory, and Burns' non-paying Soda Pop character quickly became popular throughout the West coast area. Once in New York, Burns phoned radio impresario Paul Whiteman. With his heart in his throat Burns asked for an audition and got it! That night in 1935, on Whiteman's coast-to-coast program, Burns quickly became a national sensation. Soon he was appearing as a regular guest star on Rudy Vallee's extremely popular radio program as well. The hit radio comic returned to Los Angeles within a year and joined popular crooner Bing Crosby on NBC's Kraft Music Hall radio show, where he remained until 1941. Movie offers followed and it wasn't long before Burns got a part in his first full- length picture (Rhythm on the Range, made in 1936, co-starring Bing Crosby -- also in his first major movie role -- and a young bit player named Martha Raye). Burns and the big-mouthed comedienne were to become a popular acting duo. His national fame continued to grow, and he even authored a syndicated column for Esquire Features titled "Well, I'll Tell You." From 1941 to 1947, Burns also starred in his own popular radio drama series, "The Arkansas Traveler." Isn't GOOGLE Great ? [ 10-22-2001: Message edited by: jeffsmith ]</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boff Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 Bazooka noun. (1) A unique musical instrument made by Arkansas comedian Bob Burns and used by him in his comedy act; (2) a hand held missile launcher named after Bob Burns's instrument, which it resembled. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patgod Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 whoa cool tube, what's it do? blows up tanks. neat, what's it called panzerfaust um, sir that names taken oh <expltive deleted> fine, its a panzerschreck thats taken too by who? the germans oh bazooka well thats a funny name but wait...i wasnt naming it.... hey guys, check out this "ba-zook-a" thingy, it kills tanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledge59 Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 A complete answer with pics is on this page: BOB "BAZOOKA" BURNS I've always liked the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juju Posted October 23, 2001 Author Share Posted October 23, 2001 Huzzah, that was quick, and fun to read too! Great board this! Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YECoyote Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Juju: Quick question for those 'in the know.' Panzerschreck (tank scare. Well, sort of)<hr></blockquote> Hmm, I always thought that it translates to "Tank Terror" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
109 Gustav Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Sledge59: A complete answer with pics is on this page: BOB "BAZOOKA" BURNS I've always liked the name.<hr></blockquote> Nice article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tenfive2 Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 Nice Research! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gredeker Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by YECoyote: Hmm, I always thought that it translates to "Tank Terror"<hr></blockquote> Panzer = Armor(ed vehicle) Schreck = Terror or nightmare Panzerschreck = Armor(ed vehicle's) nightmare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splinty Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 The official Army nomenclature for a Bazooka is Rocket Launcher,Anti-Tank M1 BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Affentitten Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 "Schreck" in another context can also mean "shock". So "tank shocker" could be another interpretation for Panzerschreck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jagdwyrm Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 I thought Panzerfaust translated to Tank devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Splinty: The official Army nomenclature for a Bazooka is Rocket Launcher,Anti-Tank M1 BTW.<hr></blockquote> huh. I came up with something else: M9A1 2.36in Rocket Launcher [ 10-22-2001: Message edited by: JonS ]</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Patgod: whoa cool tube, what's it do? blows up tanks. neat, what's it called panzerfaust um, sir that names taken oh <expltive deleted> fine, its a panzerschreck thats taken too by who? the germans oh bazooka well thats a funny name but wait...i wasnt naming it.... hey guys, check out this "ba-zook-a" thingy, it kills tanks.<hr></blockquote> Unless I am badly mistaken, the Bazooka predates the Panzerfaust by a year or two. The Panzerschreck was developed after the Germans had examined some captured examples of the Bazooka. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael emrys: Unless I am badly mistaken, the Bazooka predates the Panzerfaust by a year or two. The Panzerschreck was developed after the Germans had examined some captured examples of the Bazooka. Michael<hr></blockquote> It was a joke Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patgod Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 though crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JonS: It was a joke Michael <hr></blockquote> Obviously it was intended to be humorous and I took it that way. But you do know, don't you, that there are some innocents who will read that and knowing no better take it as having a basis in fact, or at least consistent with real events? Gosh, Jon, really, man, you take it too seriously! I mean, like, lighten up already! Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonS Posted October 23, 2001 Share Posted October 23, 2001 <blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Michael emrys: I mean, like, lighten up already!<hr></blockquote> Hey! I resent that! I've been going to Jenny Craig, and am lightening up just fine, thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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