Terrorist: What It Really Means

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Terrorist: What It Really Means What is the one thing that comes to mind when people think of the word Terrorist? It is the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon Bombings because they are some of the recent Terrorist attacks that affect the people of the United States. The million dollar questions that everyone wants answers to are: “What is a terrorist?”, “Why are there terrorist?”, and “Who is a terrorist?” Today, there are many terrorist in the world or perceived threats to our peace but most people are only aware of a few terrorist and or terrorist organizations. How can we prevent the actions of terrorist? How can we study past terrorist to prevent future terrorist? Why isn’t the government able to stop terrorist and protect our peace? Where do we go from here to protect our peace and well being? If we had these answers we would be millionaires. Now the first thing that needs to be understood is that terrorist are not new in the world. We did not wake up one day and say today is the day a Terrorist is born. Terrorist have been around for years but most do know the origin of the word. The word terrorist comes from the “French word terroriste which was used as a political term” (terrorist). It was originally used “in English in 1798” ("Online Etymology Dictionary"). It was originally used to describe “the supporters of the Jacobins in the French Revolution” ("Definition of terrorist in English:"). It can be used as a noun, which means “ it is used as a political term or an adjective meaning a person who professes, or tries to awaken or spread a feeling of terror or alarm”(terrorist). Now today the word means “A person who uses violent and intimidating methods in pursuit of political aims” (terrorist). The word ter... ... middle of paper ... ...com/topics/9-11-attacks>. "Central New York." The Post-Standard. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. . "Definition of terrorist in English:." terrorist: definition of terrorist in Oxford dictionary (British & World English). N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. . "Oklahoma City Bombing." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2014. . "Online Etymology Dictionary." Online Etymology Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Feb. 2014. . "terrorist, n. and adj.". OED Online. December 2013. Oxford University Press. 14 February 2014 .

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