2007-08-20 14:34:47 · 5 answers · asked by Lan-78-pp1 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The word 'captain' could be obviously described as a word that is a title. Originally, it comes from the Latin word 'caput' which means head. 'Caput' later evolved into the form 'capitaneus' which, roughly, means 'chief' or 'headman', depending upon your translation. [English is notorious for stealing words from other languages, but in this case we stole it from French, who stole it from Latin!]
Captain has many different meanings, depending upon the context. In the navy, a captain isn't just the commander of a ship - it's also used in the air force. It's been in use since the days of the Roman Empire, when captains were commonly in charge of regiments of soldiers.
Also, captain isn't the highest rank for a person aboard a ship. If you go by the U.S. military, there are three higher naval ranks: commodore, admiral, and fleet admiral (respectively.)
2007-08-20 14:45:14 · answer #1 · answered by pacifistrevolution 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
In ancient times their were leaders{ Kings, Emperors, Sultans}
Then a General, and then the captains. Their were no in between ranks from captains and general or admirals.
2007-08-24 13:06:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mogollon Dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Captain is a rank or title with various meanings. The word came to English via French from the Latin capitaneus ("chief") which is itself derived from the Latin word caput ("head")."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain
2007-08-20 21:40:13 · answer #3 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
wikipedia - captain. thats the way we call.
just like why the leader of everything called "god"? thats the way we call.
2007-08-20 21:40:46 · answer #4 · answered by ۞_ʞɾ_ 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tradition – it’s basically an old nautical term saying they are in charge
2007-08-20 21:39:48 · answer #5 · answered by JB 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋