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Hoist by your own petard

Updated: 9/14/2023
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The petard was the first 'shaped' explosive charge, used by a Mining Engineer (colloquially 'sapper') to precisely direct a blast onto a single point, like a lock or door hinge, when mining toward a defended structure during a siege. It was shaped like a squat cone and because of this shape, concentrated a small charge so well that the sound of the blast rarely carried through the door to the defender. This enabled the sapper to use such a small charge that he could remain quite close to the spot. So close, in fact, that it was conceivable that a sapper might be 'hoist by his own petard' if he was a bit of a show-off. First printed reference was in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' III.iv.207 "For tis the sport to haue the enginer Hoist with his owne petar"

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Hoist with his own petard?

Hoist with your own petard - means injured by the device you intended to use injure others


What is a Petard?

A petard is a small bomb used to breach gates and walls in early modern warfare. It is typically attached to the target and then detonated to create an opening for an attack. The phrase "hoist with his own petard" refers to being harmed by one's own actions or devices.


How does the English saying go about defeating someone with their own weapon or sword?

"hoist with one's own petard"


What actors and actresses appeared in Hoist on His Own Petard - 1912?

The cast of Hoist on His Own Petard - 1912 includes: Kathleen Butler as At Dancing Academy Edward Dillon as At Dancing Academy Charles Murray as Henrico Gus Pixley as At Dancing Academy


What are the release dates for The George Carlin Show - 1994 George Gets Hoist by His Own Petard 2-4?

The George Carlin Show - 1994 George Gets Hoist by His Own Petard 2-4 was released on: USA: 6 November 1994


What does 'hoist by own petard' mean?

The phrase "hoist by one's own petard" means to be harmed or caught in one's own trap or scheme. The term "petard" refers to a small bomb used to breach walls in warfare, so being "hoist by one's own petard" signifies that someone's own actions or plans have backfired on them.


Why does Shakespeare have laertes die this way in hamlet?

There is an irony that he is killed with his own poison (hoist with his own petard, one might say). Also, since Laertes knows he's going to die, he has an incentive to spill the beans on Claudius: "The king's to blame!"


What is the Origin of 'hoist by your own petard'?

The reference can be found in Hamlet (Act 3, scene 4)There's letters seal'd, and my two schoolfellows,Whom I will trust as I will adders fang'd-They bear the mandate, they must sweep my wayAnd marshal me to knavery. Let it work;For 'tis the sport to have the enginerHoist with his own petard, an't shall go hardBut I will delve one yard below their minesAnd blow them at the moon.Shakespeare didn't invent the term though.


When was Paul Petard born?

Paul Petard was born in 1912.


When did Paul Petard die?

Paul Petard died in 1980.


Why did Laertes die in Hamlet?

Hamlet stabbed him with the poisoned sword which Laertes had poisoned to kill Hamlet. He was, in Hamlet's phrase, "hoist with his own petard."


What has the author Michel Petard written?

Michel Petard has written: 'de Fontenoy A Waterloo'