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reesetee commented on the word a shot across the bow
The phrase derives from the naval practice of firing a cannon shot across the bows of an opponent's ship to show them one is prepared to do battle: "In a very brief space we neared our victim, a large merchantman, whose appearance promised at once an easy conquest and a rich booty. At a signal from Stamar, a shot was fired across her bows to bring her to. She immediately hoisted a white flag." -- (Wisconsin Democrat, December 1939)
December 1, 2007