3 ms·

It just means platoon in French.

• dieselgate 4y ago
  Interesting, I’m not a French speaker but my Spanish is OK. Always thought it was rooted in “pelota” as ball - but after looking both meanings are accurate just one being a bit more literal
  • layer8 4y ago
    You are right, from [0]: 1630s, "a small body of soldiers acting together but separate from the main body of troops," from French peloton "platoon, group of people," literally "little ball" (15c.), hence, "agglomeration," diminutive of Old French pelote "ball" (see pellet). [0] https://www.etymonline.com/word/platoon https://www.etymonline.com/word/platoon
    • dieselgate 4y ago
      Indeed didn’t associate “pellet” with these words before either