Etymology:
< German Putsch (first half of the 19th cent.), spec. use of German regional (Swiss) Putsch
knock, thrust, blow (1431), sudden rush, especially against an obstacle
(1555), revolt, riot (19th cent., perhaps also 1524 in an apparently
isolated attestation), of imitative origin. Compare earlier putschism n., putschist n. With the sense development compare also coup n.3 2b, coup d'état n. at coup n.3 5a, stroke of state n. at stroke n.1 14b.The German word became known outside Switzerland following the Zurich Putsch (German regional (Swiss) Züriputsch) of 1839.1. An attempt to overthrow a government, esp. by violent means; an insurrection or coup d'état.2.
In a weakened sense: a sudden or forceful attempt to take control of
an organization, business, etc.; a sudden vigorous effort, a concerted
drive or campaign. (OED)
"Pakistan has a way of cutting careers short, some tragically. One Prime Minister was sent to the gallows after being toppled in a coup. Nine years later, the general who led the putsch died in a plane crash; conspiracists posit that it was brought down by combustible crates of mangoes on board."
- Nicholas Schmidle, "Homecoming dept.: after Pakistan", 26 November 2012
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