What is the origin and meaning of the word rocket?

[Matt-STIPA]

I was wondering if there is an actual definition given by a recognised organisation over what is meant by the word "rocket". In case there is not, I wanted to reflect upon what do we really mean when we say rockets.

 

[jtbell]

Why do you think it might matter?

 

[Hoophy]

I would say it is a vehicle that carries all of its own fuel, and pushes gas out of its engine for propulsion but I don't really know.

 

[Bandit127]

I think we need to add the oxidiser to the fuel if we are to say it is a rocket.

 

[A.T.]

I think we need to add the oxidiser to the fuel if we are to say it is a rocket.

Why does it have to be oxidation? Why does it have to be a chemical reaction?

 

[Hoophy]

Why does it have to be oxidation? Why does it have to be a chemical reaction?

Good point! I suppose a cannon could also act as a rocket.

 

[berkeman]

Now *this* is a rocket!

http://www.phys.unt.edu/~klittler/demo_room/mech_demos/WaterRocket.jpg

 

[berkeman]

I suppose a cannon could also act as a rocket.

I'm not sure it fits the definition, but maybe that's where the word "Rocket" came from. I understand that Neanderthals did hunt birds by throwing rocks, and they were in the process of developing a primitive language and grammar. It became a common battle cry when they attacked a flock of birds, "Rock It!"

https://chasingsabretooths.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/neanderthal-throwing-rock.jpg

 

[Hoophy]

I'm not sure it fits the definition, but maybe that's where the word :"Rocket" came from. I understand that Neanderthals did hunt birds by throwing rocks, and they were in the process of developing a primitive language and grammar. It became a common battle cry when they attacked a flock of birds, "Rock It!"

https://chasingsabretooths.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/neanderthal-throwing-rock.jpg

I'm not entirely sure what was going through my mind when I said that, perhaps I was thinking of the cannon ball as the reaction mass and the recoil as the reaction. I could have done better. :)

Why do you think it might matter?

This is a good question.

 

[Fervent Freyja]

The word *rocket* means Wernher von Braun where I'm from...

 

[CWatters]

I was wondering if there is an actual definition given by a recognised organisation over what is meant by the word "rocket". In case there is not, I wanted to reflect upon what do we really mean when we say rockets.

When I was younger we used a thing called a dictionary to answer such questions. Some dictionaries are produced by "recognised organisations". These days you make a few mouse clicks...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket

 

[MajesticHyena]

First known use was in 1530.
Origin and Etymology of the word Rocket : Italian rocchetta, literally, small distaff, from diminutive of rocca distaff, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German rocko distaff
Rocket, a firework consisting of a case partly filled with a combustible composition fastened to a guiding stick and propelled through the air by the rearward discharge of the gases liberated by combustion.