Where Does ‘Swashbuckler’ Come From?
The word “swashbuckler” conjures up images of a particular type of stock character: a heroic figure skilled in swordsmanship and acrobatics, who partakes in daring deeds with guile and charm, and who might be chivalrous but could just as well be something of a rogue. This flamboyant protagonist has long
appeared in tales of adventure on both page and screen, leaping across ship decks, dueling on staircases, and charging into danger with a grin. Think Peter Pan, Sinbad, Zorro, and the three musketeers. But what exactly is a swash and why is it so prone to buckling? As it turns...
