Did you know that the word torpedo has two meanings? Apart from being an underwater missile, it can also refer to a type of electric ray fish. The latter definition was coined by American inventor Robert Fulton when he conceptualized creating floating explosive charges in the early 19th century. Initially, it only pertained to basic naval mines, but as technology advanced, it encompassed more sophisticated self-propelled weapons. The fish’s name originates from the Latin verb torpere, which means “to be numb.” This is due to the electric discharge of the ray causing numbness in the affected area. The Latin term itself traces back to the Proto-Indo-European reconstruction ster, meaning “stiff” (also the basis of words like stark, startle, torpid, and stern).
