Dispatching

/dɪˈspætʃɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Sending someone or something quickly to a specific place or task, or managing the sending of vehicles and workers to different locations.

Etymology

From Old French 'despechier' meaning to hurry or hinder, combining 'des-' (away) and 'pechier' (to hinder). The modern sense of organizing departures evolved from the notion of removing obstacles to quick departure.

Kelly Says

Emergency dispatchers use the same word root as medieval people trying to get unstuck—they're both about removing delays so things move fast. Next time you call 911, you're using a word that literally means 'get un-stuck.'

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