Vocabulary Words Pertaining To The Civil War Era
Vocabulary changes over time, and many words that have remained in common usage throughout the United States sound the same, are spelled the same, yet have taken on different or varied meanings. Some of the language used during the United States Civil War and during the Civil War era are great examples.
A “cap” in today’s language most often refers to a casual hat with a brim to block sunlight from reaching the eyes. During the civil war, a “cap” was a small device that soldiers used to explode gunpowder inside the barrel of a projectile weapon, such as a pistol, rifle or cannon. Likewise, a “bummer” today is something that is slightly depressing, whereas a civil war soldier known to appropriate goods from citizens, most often without paying for those items, was termed a “bummer.” While that is slightly depressing, too, the notion that soldiers would just take things from their fellow citizens, it is certainly not the same thing.
Today, a “cartridge” most particularly refers to a video game, perhaps an old Nintendo or other product, insofar as today’s games are most often issued on compact disc. Still, during the civil war era, a “cartridge” referred specifically to a paper tube holding a bullet and gunpowder.
Language is always changing, and learning past uses of common words can be fun and enlightening.