(stuj(^(^;;^)^) GO TEAM SPIDERS!(^(^;;^)^),
Mon 12 Jan 2015, 16:10,
archived)
Urban legend
In the 1600s, the Swedish army kicked ass. It really did. It had to. Constant wars with Russia, Germany, Denmark, hell anyone within range. They had conscription of anyone over 16 in place - these "entrance" troops ("infart") were well known throughout Europe. Eventually the name caught on but always made English speakers giggle (as it does to this day). So when the English crown took the word as part of "Infart Royal Youth" they changed it to be a little more French and it became "Enfant RY" or, eventually, "Infantry".