Why are Tanks called tanks?

[Xa'ru]

'cause

[Helikaon]

Another probable explanation that could only have been deployed after the war-machines were named "A tank", would be that in many regards, with the rapid improvement in defensive measures, culminating in the vicious trench warfare of the first world war, "tanks" ended up, in much regard, a vehicle that was capable of breaking that stalemate. They were meant to soak up a massive amount of punishment and provided cover to soldiers attempting to advance on an enemy trench.

[rantus]

Probably because real tanks on the battlefield can take a lot more punishment than a normal soldier or car can.

They can also do a lot more damage than a regular soldier, and be used to pick up injured soldiers like a mobile hospital, so they could really be any role. But yeah, that is why though.

[knopp]

Operation: Human Shield, anyone?

*methinks I shouldn't post the more offensive South Park movie version of that. :P*

operation: get behind the darkies =D

[Tholyn]

In english please

I believe he is paying homage to Alamo

http://www.wowwiki.com/Alamo

[Valenhil]

OH, Shut up. They're tanks, because tanks take a lot of damage and live through it. The End.

[dizzer83]

Cause When you go to war you have the tanks go in first, then the soldiers go in behind them and then the medics and corpsmen are in the back

[Deleted]

... TANK -->>

You know, in DDR (former East Germany) the socialist dictatorship actually built tanks for pioneer kids to better brainwash children as minions of communism.

[Naylol]

... TANK -->>

paladin tank

[Crakkerz]

Operation: Human Shield, anyone?

*methinks I shouldn't post the more offensive South Park movie version of that. :P*

You mean "Operation: Get Behind the Dar--"


OOH!! A quarter! It be shiny!!!
/pounces

[Shadestar]

We are called tanks cause we're the armor of the group. Tanks IRL are used cause their damn near indestructable as opposed to something like, I dunno, a jeep with a mounted gun.
The only contradiction here is that if real life had a DPS meter, the tank would beat the jeep.

[Deleted]

Tanks are intimidating. Tanks can take damage. Tanks are well-armored compared to the infantry. Tanks are up there, on da front lines. Tanks are something you'd turn your attention to if it was suddenly shooting at you. No, really, i'm definate you would, trust me.

This is why a Warrior/DK/Pala/Druid in WoW, with the appropriate specc, is called a Tank. T-a-n-k.
Because they take damage, they are well-armored compared to the rest of the group. They are the first to charge in. They make sure to grab the mobs attention by attacking and causing threat.

So... Happy?

[Valenhil]

I think the point has been THOROUGHLY put. can we finish this topic already?

[Exxile87]

Thanks was trying to figure out what his picture had to do with his comment and was rather lost.

Stop being uninformed. Lrn 2 b uh durid frum ALAMO lolz.

[Tycho]

Tank used to refer to a large, strong guy, more often than not a soldier or jock. A reference to tanks, of course.

I've also heard it used a few times (it's been a while though) in the context of a wingman "tanking" the fat/ugly/otherwise-undesirable of two girls that one sometimes meets in a social environment.

[Amithiel]

Fuck your tanks.

[Praiseworthy]

Probably because real tanks on the battlefield can take a lot more punishment than a normal soldier or car can.

^ this

and yes, tanks if also not just a WoW term, it's used for multiple other games as well. its basically because, in a real life war, what is gonna be able to take more damage and abuse, a tank, or a soilder?

tanks = tanks (dk's pwn)
soilders = dps (mostly ranged)
medics = healers (rezz pls?)

that's pretty much it

[Clicheman]

I like tanks.

[twinkleblur]

... TANK -->>

this must be a gnome right?
also....how did the OP get banned on his own thread? lol

[archelios]

Tanks...T.A.N.K. = Totally Annihilated on Novocaine and Ketamine