What is the origin of the term "sniper"?

• A. It refers to soldiers who specialized in marksmanship.
• B. It originates from hunters who targeted small agile birds called snipe.
• C. It describes individuals known for their stealth in combat.
• D. It comes from military tactics used during the American Revolution.

Answer: (B)

The term "sniper" indeed has its origins tied to hunters who specialized in targeting a particular small and agile bird known as the snipe. This connection highlights the skill and precision needed to effectively hunt such a challenging quarry, serving as a metaphor for the marksmanship that snipers demonstrate on the battlefield. As these skilled marksmen took on the role of long-range shooters in military contexts, the term evolved to encompass the broader set of skills associated with modern sniping.

The other options, while they touch on various aspects of a sniper's role, do not accurately trace the etymology of the term itself. The focus on marksmanship is part of a sniper's skillset but does not provide the historical context that links the word to hunting snipe. The mention of stealth in combat reflects a characteristic of snipers, but again doesn't indicate the term's origins. Finally, the relation to military tactics during the American Revolution is not relevant to the etymology of "sniper," which predates these tactical developments. Thus, the most accurate choice connects the term back to the hunting of the snipe.