shock and awe

Etymology


Coined by American defence strategists Harlan Kenneth Ullman (born 1941) and James P. Wade, Jr., in Shock and Awe (1996): see the quotation. The term gained greater public attention during the by US troops.

Noun

 * 1)  A doctrine based on the use of spectacular displays of force.

Translations

 * Arabic: الصدمة والترويع
 * French: choc et effroi, choc et stupeur
 * Greek: σοκ και δέος
 * Hebrew: הלם ומורא
 * Korean: 충격과 공포
 * Portuguese: choque e pavor
 * Slovak: šok a hrôza
 * Spanish: shock y pavor

Verb

 * 1)  To use the "shock and awe" doctrine in an actual or potential conflict, or to otherwise use a spectacular display of force or authority.