Have you ever wondered where the term "panzie" came from? Yeah, me neither, or at least until the other day when I was watching the Hitler Channel, I mean the History Channel. They had a show about German tank divisions in the Second World War that got me thinking. That's when I decided to research this piece!
The term "panzie" is a slang term used to denote someone is who is weak, perhaps even afraid. Panzies are often afraid of public humiliation, and cower in fear.
Many people think that this name is derived from the name of the flower "pansy." This assumption, while not totally ridiculous since the words "pansy" and "panzie" are homonyms, is incorrect.
The term "panzie" is actually derived from the World War II term "panzer."
Panzers, being the tanks used by the Germans in WWII, were the ones who dished out the punishment and inspired fear in the hearts of the allied troops. Those allied units who, especially at the beginning of the war, were the ones that took a beating and fled from the German tanks. Thus you had the "panz-ers" and the "panz-ees."
The spelling and pronunciation of "panzee" changed over time and eventually became "panzie." And you can quote me on that!
by Cameron Hatch note: the research behind this piece of writing will probably not hold up to rigorous academic scrutiny, so please do not cite this as a source for any History Paper you are writing.
Panzer |
Panzie | Pansy |
