Iain Ballantyne > Quotes > Quote > Shyue Chou liked it

“The origins of the name Warspite are not clear but the most popular theory is that it was a compound creation – ‘War’s spite’ embodies contempt for one’s enemies (an obvious reflection of English feelings towards Spain at the time). The word ‘spight’ was also a colloquial name for the green woodpecker. A ‘warspight’ would obviously be ready to ‘peck’ at the wooden hulls of opponents.”
― Iain Ballantyne, Warspite: Warships of the Royal Navy