this post was submitted on 02 Sep 2025
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[–] nutsack@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 6 days ago (5 children)

why is it called a floatilla

[–] innermachine@lemmy.world 7 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Not trying to be a smart ass but what do u suggest it's be called? A convoy? Maybe a fleet?

[–] Psythik@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (2 children)
[–] Alteon@lemmy.world 13 points 6 days ago (2 children)

Haaa...there's MANY boats mate. Not sure how you missed that. Dozens. What would you call a group of boats? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't call it a boat of boats.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 8 points 5 days ago

What would you call a group of boats?

I'm being told by the IDF that a group of boats carrying food and medical aid is called a "publicity stunt".

I'm also being told it's Hamas.

[–] innermachine@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago

Yea original comment is funny. Definition of flotilla is a group of boats with a purpose. Not sure what else they would be calling it.

[–] WhatGodIsMadeOf@feddit.org 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Es flutas mi amigo.

[–] oppy1984@lemdro.id 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I'm mobile and can't verify anything, but if you trust a goggle AI Overview then here you go.

The word "flotilla" originates from the Spanish word flotilla, a diminutive form of flota meaning "fleet". This, in turn, came from Old French floter and ultimately Germanic roots, like Old Norse floti ("raft, fleet") and Old English flota ("ship" or "fleet"), which are ancestors of the English word "float". The English term "flotilla" was adopted in 1711 and refers to a small fleet, especially of small naval vessels like destroyers or submarines. Here's a breakdown of the word's origin: Spanish: Flotilla (diminutive of flota, meaning "fleet"). Old French: Floter ("to float, set afloat"). Germanic: Old Norse floti ("raft, fleet") and Old English flota ("ship, fleet"). Indo-European: Traced back to the root pleu- ("to flow"). The English word "flotilla" was first recorded in 1711.

[–] Goldmage263@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Ahh dang! So close. I guessed 16th century.

[–] oppy1984@lemdro.id 2 points 6 days ago

Hey you were closer than me, I would have guessed closer to Roman times since it hits me as a Latin origin.

[–] Goldmage263@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 days ago

I guess it's enough boats to make a floating villa? There's something in there that I'm sure a 16th century language historian could figure out.

[–] toppy@lemy.lol 1 points 6 days ago

Because she floats.