Shrapnel

Shrapnel is the collective term for fragments and debris thrown out by an exploding shell or landmine. In the strict sense of the word, shrapnel is shot which is deliberately included in an explosive device, in order to cause death and injury; more loosely, the term is used to refer to any metal debris which is propelled by an explosion which could be more properly called splinters. Although the anti-personnel effects of burst metal shell casings had been known for centuries, the word shrapnel is derived from the name of Major-General Henry Shrapnel (1761?1842), an English artillery officer, whose experiments - initially conducted in his own time, and at his own expense - designed a shell specifically for the purpose.

Other use of term

Shrapnel is also British English slang for loose change. The Oxford English Dictionary documents that the term shrapnel is often incorrectly used to describe fragments or shot included in explosive weapons. In fact, the term is correctly used to describe the weapon developed by Henry Shrapnel.

Related Topics:
British English - Oxford English Dictionary

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