Moving around the side of something to attack or defend it, or positioned at the sides of something.
From Old French 'flanc' meaning side of the body or side of an army formation. The military sense developed in medieval warfare when soldiers would try to attack the side rather than the fortified front.
In chess, boxing, and military strategy, flanking moves are devastating because humans naturally protect their front—the side is a blind spot. That's why good defense means 'covering your flanks,' a phrase we still use even when talking about business strategy.
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