MOLOTOV Meaning and
Definition
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Molotov is an adjective used to describe a type of improvised incendiary weapon, commonly known as a Molotov cocktail. The term "molotov" is derived from Vyacheslav Molotov, a Soviet politician who served as the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs during World War II. The weapon was given this name as an ironic reference to Molotov's propaganda statements denying the existence of Soviet air raids during the Winter War of 1939-1940.
A typical Molotov cocktail consists of a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid, such as gasoline or alcohol, and a piece of cloth soaked in the same liquid, acting as a makeshift wick. The cloth is lit on fire and the bottle is then thrown, causing the contents to ignite upon impact and creating a powerful, spreading blaze.
Due to its simplicity and accessibility of materials, the Molotov cocktail has been widely employed as a crude weapon in civil unrest, protests, and conflicts around the world. It has been used as a means to ignite fires, disrupt law enforcement, and as a method of expressing dissent. Its effectiveness is based on the combination of the explosive nature of the fuel and the subsequent fire, making it a dangerous weapon with potential to cause harm, destruction, and loss of life.
The term "molotov" has become synonymous with this particular type of weapon due to its widespread use. However, it is essential to note that the use of Molotov cocktails is illegal and highly dangerous, often leading to severe consequences for those involved in their creation or usage.
Top Common Misspellings for MOLOTOV *
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Other Common Misspellings for MOLOTOV
Etymology of MOLOTOV
The word "Molotov" has its etymology rooted in the surname of Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, a prominent Soviet politician. However, the term "Molotov" became widely known due to its association with the "Molotov cocktail", an improvised incendiary device consisting of a bottle filled with flammable liquid and a cloth wick. During the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland in 1939-1940, as part of Soviet propaganda efforts, Vyacheslav Molotov claimed that the Soviet Union was not attacking Finland but delivering humanitarian aid. In response, the Finnish soldiers sarcastically dubbed the Soviet bombs dropped on them as "Molotov bread baskets" or "Molotov cocktails".
Idioms with the word MOLOTOV
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Molotov cocktail
A Molotov cocktail is an improvised incendiary weapon consisting of a glass bottle filled with a flammable liquid, usually gasoline or alcohol, with a piece of cloth soaked in the same liquid serving as a wick. It is typically used as a crude explosive device that, when ignited, creates a fireball upon impact. The term "Molotov cocktail" is named after Vyacheslav Molotov, a Soviet politician, who used it as a propaganda tool during the Winter War (1939-1940) to deny Soviet aggression in Finland.
Similar spelling words for MOLOTOV
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