Auxiliary Battering Rams

I forgot the term for does, do, have, will, etc. — besides to be (am, is, are, ...) — when it is formed as a proper question. Hence I asked both ChatGPT and Gemini 👍

It is known as auxiliary verb inversion. As it involves swapping the auxiliary verb from its usual position in the sentence.

Affirmative declarative to proper question examples:

You eat ➡️ Do you eat?

I have showered ➡️ Have I showered?

That horse will neigh ➡️ Will that horse neigh?

When it is used in proper question, the do, have, and will function as auxiliary verbs in inversion.

It falls under the broader category of subject-auxiliary inversion.

There's no clear term for that final swapped auxiliary verb. Only the method (or process), auxiliary verb inversion.

So, I call it inverted auxiliary verb 😂

Which sounds like DOES becomes SEOD.

Nay-nay form (negative declarative) to improper question:

She does not like to smile ➡️ Seod she not like to smile?

Right then, let's skip the normal part and let's go forth to the weird part.

Afterward, while at ChatGPT, from the excitement, I blurted an analogy of battering rams as an auxiliary unit in medieval tactical warfare...

It sounded normal at that time.

Around few seconds later, I realized, wait, what did I type? 🤔🤣

Let's elaborate this odd concept of mine.

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Default Setup

Commonly, battering rams were deployed as the main assault force, not as support (auxiliary).

In this generic format and logical order:

1. Diplomatic Formalities

   Cavalry or messengers would approach the gates, offering the defenders a chance to surrender peacefully.

2. Siege Preparations

   If the offer was declined, catapults and trebuchets would rain down destruction, weakening the defenses.

3. Infantry Advances

   With archers providing cover, foot soldiers and battering rams would move toward the enemy walls.

4. Coordinated Attack

   Archers positioned behind infantry would suppress enemy defenders while battering rams did their job, ramming gates, shielded by troops.

5. Breach and Assault

   Once the gates were shattered and the walls breached, the infantry surged in first to secure entry points, neutralize remaining resistance, and establish control. Knights followed soon after, eliminating key defenders, subduing retreating forces, and capturing strategic positions within the stronghold.

Above was the tactical order for sieging. It made sense.

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And Then My Version...

Delayed Battering Rams

🧠 Oh, let's put battering rams as supporting units.

🤔 Which means nobody breaks the gates at the beginning...

🧠 Fear not! Because there will still be catapults and trebuchets! They can fling rocks and whatnots in all directions. We may start everything altogether with a single command signal.

🤔 Really? Will that work?

🧠 Be or not 🤷‍♂️

😵‍💫🤔😃

We shall start by knocking the gate using the horses' hooves.

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The Polite Approach 🙂

Knights ride to the gate and courteously ask the defenders if they'd prefer to surrender and avoid bloodshed.

🐎🐴	:	(Knock knock) (Knock) (Bang bang bang)
Defender	:	I'm coming! I'm coming! Sheesh... Hold your horses! (Peeking from the tiniest hole on the gate 👀) Oi, what's the big idea? Why so many troops?
Knight	:	Good evening, good sirs! Might we enter? 🙂
Defender	:	Uhhh… what? NO! (Peeking 👀)
Knight	:	Ah. Very well, we shall proceed accordingly 🙂
Defender	:	(Thinking 🧠) What does that mean? 🤔 Are they attacking or just visiting?

The knights gallop away from the entrance, returning to their ranks within the formation.

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It Begins 😶

At the commanding shout of the siege leader, swiftly echoed by the unfurling of signal flags, the assembled troops march forward.

While the troops are marching...

Catapults and trebuchets fire blindly.

Soldier #1	:	SIR, MAYHAP WE SHOULD STOP FIRING! AAAAHHH! ☠️ (Got struck by random rocks)
Leader	:	NONSENSE! WE FRIGHTEN THEM! FORWARD, MEN! GO, GO, GO! 🏇
Soldier #2	:	(Muttering inaudibly) I'm frightened 😨
Leader	:	Where's the ram?
Soldier #3	:	Still back there, sir. AAAAARRGH ☠️ (Got struck by random giant projectiles)
Leader	:	Oh, never mind. We still have horses! ONWARD!

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Defense ⚔️

Defender	:	Oh dear Lord, they ARE ATTACKING! Of. Some. Sort... 🤨 Why are they flinging rocks at their own troops? 🤔 Where's the ram? 🤨 Oh well... 🤷‍♂️
Defender	:	Get ready, mates! Boulder units stand ready! YEET! 💥

Defenders YEET BOULDERS at them because...

Why not?

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It Ends 🏳️

Hours after that, battering rams units slowly approach the foggy fortification.

From a distance...

Crew #1	:	(Looking around 👀) Hey, where's everybody?
Crew #2	:	HELLO! SIR!
Crew #3	:	Battering rams are here! HELLO! George! Hepplewhite! Shufflebottom!
Crew #1	:	Huh? Who's Shufflebottom? (Still looking around 👀)
Crew #3	:	He's an archer, or something like that. (👀)
Crew #1	:	You made it up, right? I knew it. (Keeps looking around 👀)
Crew #2	:	Guys! There's no one here... 😔

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Well...

In reality, battering rams were never an afterthought — they were essential to breaking down gates and breaching fortifications.

HENCEFORTH, 🤷‍♂️

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Is There Any Lesson Here?

There surely... is... 🤔🧠

Where's the ram?