Grenadiers
Most people have the same, two-step reaction when hearing about soldiers known as grenadiers. The first step: “Ooh, sounds fancy.” The second step: “Wait…does that just mean somebody who throws grenades?”
Well, yes, and yes. The title “grenadier” can signify a wide variety of soldiers, depending on the historical context, but it basically means somebody throwing a grenade. But do not be deceived. Today most Doubting Thomases and Skeptical Sylvias think that throwing a grenade means right-clicking the mouse, or flicking the Wii remote while pressing B. But early grenades were heavy metal balls filled with volatile gunpowder and triggered by a lit match or fuse. Thrown by hand, the grenade-thrower had to be close enough to the enemy so that he could light and hurl the little bomb effectively, and he had to do so before it blew his arm off. This meant he stood on the front lines. Anyone want to stand fifty feet from the enemy and shotput a ticking bomb? Thomas? Sylvia? Thought not.
You wouldn’t want some jerkoff foot soldier try to impress the peasantfolk with his grenade-throwing abilities. That kind of behavior is how ”liberating armies” become “occupying armies.” Similarly, you don’t want a party showoff making a grenadier-rated skill drink. A proper mint julep requires hand-crushing mint and ice, specialized glasses, measurements, patience, and depending on who you ask, the proper familial credentials. Attempt it with less, and accidents happen.
