Make It So

[snopes]

Comment: I have a rumor I'd love if you could find out for me. I googled
"Admiral Nelson" while doing some research, and the following page popped
up:

http://content.perspicuity.com/?q=node/199

According to this guy, the phrase "Make it so" (familiar from Star Trek
TNG) originated with the navy in Nelson's day. At first glance this makes
sense--we do the same thing in theatre by getting everyone ready for a cue
and then activating it by saying "Go" -- but this is the first I've heard
about Navy men using it.

[Em]

It's a phrase uttered at least twice per day during the Colours and Sunset ceremonies on every ship and establishment in the Australian Navy. Since we inherited most of our traditions from the UK, I imagine that's where we got it from.

ETA: You don't even have to be a Navy man to use it. I've done it myself on many occasions.

[Mycroft]

Makes sense to me; set up a set of commands and then have one simple instruction to start them at a particular. In many Army films you have 'On the command X you will......'.
I believe in WW2 and more modern naval usage 'Make it so' has been replaced by the more definate 'Execute'. The fundamental problem is to have a simple command easily heard in all situations which cannot be misunderstood, hence 'Fire' has been replaced with 'Shoot', although 'Open Fire' is also acceptable

[rlobinske]

It was around at least during Rudyard Kipling's lifetime when he used it in the poem, The Ballad of the "Clampherdown"

"Captain, the bow-gun melts apace,
The deck-beams break below,
'Twere well to rest for an hour or twain,
And botch the shattered plates again."
And he answered, "Make it so."

[carter108]

I think they should say. "So let it be written. So let it be done."

[UEL]

Originally Posted by Mycroft

Makes sense to me; set up a set of commands and then have one simple instruction to start them at a particular. In many Army films you have 'On the command X you will......'.
I believe in WW2 and more modern naval usage 'Make it so' has been replaced by the more definate 'Execute'. The fundamental problem is to have a simple command easily heard in all situations which cannot be misunderstood, hence 'Fire' has been replaced with 'Shoot', although 'Open Fire' is also acceptable

Fire is still the executive order with British, Canadian, Australian and US artillery. Open Fire is a policy, the order is still "fire".

I've never heard shoot used as a command, either with the artillery or infantry.

Another order that can be given is engage. An example:

Me: Number Three!
Sergeant: Sir!
Me: Reference green house, right three o'clock, four zero mils, tank in woodline!
Sergeant: Seen!
Me: Engage!

At which time the Sergeant starts shooting at the tank.

[BoKu]

Captain Piccard walks into the Singer repair shop with a broken Stitch-o-Matic.

Repair person at the counter looks up and asks "what do you want me to do with it?"

[Mycroft]

Originally Posted by UEL

I've never heard shoot used as a command, either with the artillery or infantry.

I believe 'Shoot' is/was mainly in naval use.

Of course if you go back far enough (ie English Civil War) the command is 'Give Fire'

[Old goat]

The phrase "Make it so" is the correct response from a senior to a junior, when the junior makes a recommendation, i.e., "Sir, I recommend we come left to 165 degrees". The response "Make it so" tells the junior the recommendation is accepted and is now to be considered an order.

The command to fire is still used in the U. S. Navy, altho shoot may be used in certain circumstances, mostly Naval Gunfire Support.

Execute is the command given when an order has been given but not acted upon. Used in formation steaming, a change is direction will be sent, when all ships have acknowledged the new direction the command execute is given and the ships repond at the same time. Avoids collisions that way(most of the time).