2007-02-26 05:21:28 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It comes from the French "infanterie", from the Italian "infanteria", which means "youth, servant, foot-soldier".
Foot-soldiers were originally just servants of their lords, who rode horses of course. No slogging it on foot for them!
"Infant" is from the Latin "infantem", which originally meant "without speech, unable to speak", thence "small child, baby".
The two words don't seem to be related, or if they are, it's a very distant relationship.
2007-02-26 05:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have read a number of different explanations including that the princes of Aragon in spain were given command of foot troops these units were named after the royal offspring the infantas.This seems the most likely.
2007-02-26 07:16:07 · answer #2 · answered by frankturk50 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good point. All the dictionaries this morning had no etymological indications. You're stuck.
2007-02-26 05:24:55 · answer #3 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
civil war the whites seen the colors as an "infinite" source of man power, infantry
2007-02-26 05:27:07 · answer #4 · answered by racistman 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It refers to a knight's page, (Infante) or foot soldier.
Trained and equipt to fight mainly on foot.
2007-02-26 08:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't know but we always refereed to them as PBI all in good humour of course( poor bloody infantry)
2007-02-26 07:28:26 · answer #6 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋