I've called 'em bolts all my life and most likely won't ever change, but the terms bolts and arrows are pretty much interchangeable these days - at least in the crossbow community. The word 'bolt' came into Middle English from the old High German word for crossbow arrows, bolz. Bolt became the common term for crossbow arrows, but it's properly only used for short, blunt or knob ended crossbow arrows.

Replica midieval warfare bolts/arrows with armor piercing bodkin points. They used broadheads for hunting, of course and added a 3rd fletch between the two side fletches, facing UP when loaded into the crossbow.



Then there are target bolts which really do look kinda like bolts.



And their midieval equivalent, where the Germanic term originated.



So ends today's history and entymology lesson. Pop quiz tomorrow. [8D]