Improvised Explosive Device: why don't they just say booby trap?

[R.P.D rookie]

I've got the news on in the background and I've heard Improvised Explosive Device and IED several times. Whatever happened to the days of just saying booby trap? Is it too primitive in today's society of political correctness? I'm guessing they don't address it as such because it makes the military seem incompetent to fall into a trap?

[Rhio2k]

Because in these days, "booby trap" makes people think of a hermaphrodite with big tits.

[DaDesiCanadian]

Because in these days, "booby trap" makes people think of a hermaphrodite with big tits.

Hahahahaha.

[Taichi]

As much as I respect the Military (and the SRKers who serve), I do respect the fact that a $50 homemade bomb can destroy a $3,000,000 piece of American Technology/equipment.

and am in full support of the soldiers and commanders who keep DEMANDING that they add additional armor to these vehicles.

[DeathReaper47]

Cuz it makes me think of getting stuck in-between Pamela Anderson's breast. Which is a good thing.

[catchafire]

I've got the news on in the background and I've heard Improvised Explosive Device and IED several times. Whatever happened to the days of just saying booby trap? Is it too primitive in today's society of political correctness? I'm guessing they don't address it as such because it makes the military seem incompetent to fall into a trap?

Seriously, not to be offensive, but are you now only processing news that has been going on and on about IEDs for the last 5 years? IEDs aren't funny. It makes sense to use IED versus boobty trap because an IED falls under the umbrella of "trap." A booby trap could be anything such as a ditch in the whole, explosive, or an unexpected surprise.

[Green]

homemade/DIY bomb seems more fitting than booby trap.

[ThePurpleBunny]

Booby trap is Loony Toons shit.

[blindspot]

Booby traps were more synomonous with the Vietnam war i.e. kids with bombs strapped to them, kids who would offer poison rice to American soldiers and tiger death traps. IED's are exposives plain and simple.

Unless the insugents get a liitle more creative we'll have to go by this name.

[Demon Dash]

When I hear the words booby trap I'm instantly reminded of the Goonies, not militant proffesionalism...

[axeman61]

I've got the news on in the background and I've heard Improvised Explosive Device and IED several times. Whatever happened to the days of just saying booby trap? Is it too primitive in today's society of political correctness? I'm guessing they don't address it as such because it makes the military seem incompetent to fall into a trap?

Improvised Explosive Device applies to more than just "official" bombs like C4. They could also be molotov cocktails (gas in a beer bottle + flaming napkin in the top).

[ThePurpleBunny]

Would holding a lighter up to your ass after eating a bowl of beans be considered an Improvised Explosive Device?

[Debaser]

Would holding a lighter up to your ass after eating a bowl of beans be considered an Improvised Explosive Device?

Why the hell not?

[R.P.D rookie]

Seriously, not to be offensive, but are you now only processing news that has been going on and on about IEDs for the last 5 years? IEDs aren't funny. It makes sense to use IED versus boobty trap because an IED falls under the umbrella of "trap." A booby trap could be anything such as a ditch in the whole, explosive, or an unexpected surprise.



This was the only part that confused me about your post.:wonder:

[axeman61]

Why the hell not?

Lighting a fart doesn't make your ass explode. It may shoot out a flame, but that'd be a flame thrower.

[Manx]

Booby trap would imply to the insurgents that we have rogues in our party that can detect and disarm their traps. Duh.

[m00b]

Even calling it a home-made bomb is wrong. Bombs fall from aircraft. Improvised Explosive Device? Self-explanatory.

Booby-traps? Like someone said, it doesn't necessarily mean it's explosive.

IED is the most correct term for what they're using against us. 'Bombs' strapped to kids? Yep. That's an IED also.

[Luciano Leone]

Political correctness nowdays is crazy. They don't even say dead end.. it's "No outlet."

Anyway, I dont think it's a question of political correctness. It just sounds more professional in the media to say IED over booby trap, in the same way that a news reporter would say "Police were dispatched to the cafe in response to a robbery" over "The cops showed up at the coffee joint when a guy with a gun came in and took all the money."

[RockBogart]

Well its not always a booby trap. Its just a catch all term for all homemade explosive devices. Like cell phone bombs.

[Weeks]

for the same reason they don't call UFOs "flying saucers"

[Green]

Even calling it a home-made bomb is wrong. Bombs fall from aircraft.
What the fuck are you on?

[goodm0urning]

for the same reason they don't call UFOs "flying saucers"People don't call UFOs "flying saucers" because they're either rational enough to realize that it is an inexcusably large leap of logic to claim that any unidentified flying object is alien in nature, or because they're at least pretending to be rational.

An IED falls under the blanket term "booby trap," but it sounds a lot more technical when they talk about it on the news.

[Debaser]

Because boobies make me lawl.