A petard was

an explosive device used is Ye Olde Days to blow holes in castle doors/walls during sieges.

Early explosive science being a bit primitive, the fuses weren't very reliable. So the bloke responsible for setting it up sometimes used to go up with it - he was hoist by his own petard.

FACT (though not wildilfe related)

Posted By: Old Git on May 23rd 2005 at 11:44:01

Message Thread

A bloke keeps ringing me and singing 'Stand And Deliver' down the line... (General Chat) - The Ayatollah, May 23, 11:21:51
- You scored the following for that effort... (General Chat) - Fierce Panda, May 23, 11:24:33
  - Naaah - much better than that. 5 or 60 out of ten surely? (General Chat) - roywallerslovechild, May 23, 11:27:20
    - yeah I often give 60/10 for jokes (n/m) (General Chat) - Gus Poyet 26, May 23, 11:28:37
    - 60 out of ten? (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, May 23, 11:28:27
      - Ooops. (General Chat) - roywallerslovechild, May 23, 11:32:33
        
        for a game of wall'y? (n/m) (General Chat) - Gus Poyet 26, May 23, 11:33:49
      - That must score... (General Chat) - d0mj4y, May 23, 11:29:05
        
        his petard has hoisted him. (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, May 23, 11:30:32
        
        Hands up if you know what a petard is without looking it up (General Chat) - Old Git, May 23, 11:35:03
        
        Not a clue. In my head, it sounds French. (General Chat) - roywallerslovechild, May 23, 11:41:01
        
        See below for the FACTS. How come you're suddenly back on the board, RWLC? (General Chat) - Old Git, May 23, 11:44:59
        
        Err. Omiting the long boring technical bit of the explanation leaves ... (General Chat) - roywallerslovechild, May 23, 11:52:33
        
        nope (n/m) (General Chat) - Gus Poyet 26, May 23, 11:40:42
        
        nope. at a guess..... (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, May 23, 11:36:18
        
        A petard was (General Chat) - Old Git, May 23, 11:44:01
        
        hmmm. good FACT, altho.... (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, May 23, 11:50:26
- Are you sure (General Chat) - Pragmatist, May 23, 11:23:08
  - Was about to register... (General Chat) - Jim Nasium, May 23, 11:25:50
    - pfaff. (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, May 23, 11:26:34
      - Edith? (n/m) (General Chat) - Jim Nasium, May 23, 12:25:21

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