What is Collateral Damage?
Military terminology is often in a state of flux, as is the case with the phrase collateral damage. Before the Vietnam War, military press releases rarely addressed the issue of extraneous damage caused by military operations. The mission itself may have been deemed a success, but there was little to no information provided about civilian casualties or property damage. During the Vietnam War, however, the term “collateral damage” was coined to describe, and some would suggest downplay, the actual effect of a military campaign on the civilian population. By describing civilian losses and property damage as collateral damage, government officials attempt to deflect criticism of an unusually high civilian death count. The euphemism “collateral damage” is sufficient to imply such losses, but doesn’t minimize the success of the overall mission. Phrases such as “civilian casualties” are often considered too direct for public consumption. While the phrase collateral damage may have its origin
