"The code word is 'Rochambeau', dig me?"

-Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down), Hamilton's line.

Someone tell me why you use a code word so hard to pronounce? Personally, i would use something like 'Rotten Eggs.' (If you got the Something Rotten reference, we need to talk.)

ANYWAY,

p164 of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton says, "Their [Hamilton and his men] password was "Rochambeau' - "a good one," said one American, because it "sounds like 'Rush-on-boys' when pronounced quick."

Why Rochambeau though? Where did that word even come from?

Rochambeau was the name of a French general. Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur is his actual name but he was well known as the Count de Rochambeau. After the Reign of Terror, he began his military career. He quickly rose to the top. IN 1780, he was sent to defend the US against French's long time rival, Britain. He respected Washington. He assisted Washington several times and is credited with giving Washington the plan to wait until the British were nearing Virginia to trap them and commence the Battle of Yorktown. Spoiler alert: American victory.

Websites used:

http://www.mountvernon.org/digital-encyclopedia/article/rochambeau/

http://genius.com/7904659

A/N:

Cool dude. But not Lafayette. *shrugs* I'm a Leo. I'm loyal.

Insert fun fact here: Many people called Hamilton Little Lion.

(*cough* LAURENS *cough*) <--don't take my word for it....