The word "hijacker" is spelled with a silent "d" making it a tricky word for spelling. The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈhaɪdʒækər/. The "h" is pronounced, followed by the long "i" sound, then the "d" sound is silent, and finally the "j" sound, "a" sound, and "k" sound are heard consecutively. It's important to remember the silent "d" in this word to avoid spelling mistakes. Hijacker refers to a person who takes control of a vehicle or aircraft by force.
A hijacker is an individual or a group of individuals who seize control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft, without legal authority, typically with the intention of carrying out illegal activities or making specific demands. The term "hijacker" is often associated with acts of terrorism or piracy, where the perpetrators take hostage or manipulate the vehicle they have taken control of for their own purposes.
Hijackers usually employ various strategies to take over the targeted vehicle, such as the use of force, threats, or deception. Their main aim is to gain control over the vehicle, usually by overpowering or incapacitating its crew or security personnel, in order to manipulate its direction or destination. In the case of aircraft hijacking, the usual objective is using the passengers and crew as bargaining chips for political, religious, or financial gains.
Hijacking incidents have been a significant concern for aviation and maritime industries, leading to the implementation of stringent security measures and protocols worldwide. Governments and international organizations work together to combat hijacking acts, employing tactics ranging from intelligence gathering and negotiation techniques to deploying specialized law enforcement units to resolve such emergencies swiftly and safely.
Overall, a hijacker is an unauthorized individual or group that unlawfully seizes control of a vehicle, typically an aircraft, with the objective of achieving specific goals through illegal means, while endangering the lives and safety of those on board.
The word "hijacker" originated in the early 20th century. It is a combination of two terms, "hijack" and "-er".
The term "hijack" originally referred to the stealing of cargo from a vehicle, specifically used to describe acts of theft during transportation in the United States in the early 20th century. It was derived from the word "hijackey", a variant spelling of "hijacker" or "high-jacker" which meant to steal or hold up someone on a public road.
The second component "-er" is a common suffix in the English language that denotes a person who performs or practices a particular action or occupation. It is derived from Middle English and Old English, and is related to the German "-er" and Dutch "-er".