Pronunciation: [nˈe͡ɪpɑːmɪŋ] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "napalming" is [neɪpɑːmɪŋ], with one "p" and two "m's". The "a" in "napalm" is pronounced as a "short a" or [æ], while the "al" ending is pronounced as [ɑːl]. When adding the -ing suffix, the final "m" is doubled to indicate that the stress should fall on the first syllable. "Napalming" is the present participle form of the verb "napalm", meaning to attack with napalm incendiary bombs.
Napalming is a verb that refers to the act of attacking or bombing a target using napalm, a highly flammable and incendiary substance. This term originates from the use of napalm bombs during warfare.
Napalm is a mixture of gasoline and a thickening agent, usually a form of petroleum jelly or aluminum soaps, which is employed to create a sticky and gel-like substance that adheres to surfaces and burns intensely. Napalm bombs are designed to release this substance upon impact, which then sticks to the target and ignites, causing extensive damage by generating intense and sustained heat.
The practice of napalming gained notoriety during the Vietnam War, where it was extensively utilized by the United States military. The devastating effects of napalm bombings were witnessed by the world through media coverage, as images and footage of burning villages and civilians became powerful symbols of the brutality of modern warfare.
However, napalming is not exclusive to military contexts and can also be used metaphorically to describe severe or scathing verbal attacks in everyday language. The term implies a harsh, relentless, and destructive assault on someone's character, reputation, or beliefs. This figurative usage draws upon the dramatic and devastating consequences associated with napalm bombings to convey the extent of the verbal attack.
In summary, "napalming" is primarily defined as the act of attacking a target using napalm, a highly flammable and incendiary substance typically deployed through bombs. The term can be contextually applied to both military actions and severe verbal assaults.
The word "napalming" is derived from the noun "napalm", which refers to a highly flammable liquid used primarily in warfare. The term "napalm" itself is a concatenation of "naphthenate", which refers to a group of hydrocarbon compounds, and "palmitate", which is an ester of palmitic acid. The "nap" part of the word "napalm" is derived from "Naples", a city in Italy, where it was first developed during World War II by the United States.
