Recommended by user Terry Thomason. POG: (pronounced pogue) Person Other than Grunt. Charlie Foxtrot -- Commonly used expression utilizing the military alphabet to stand for clusterf***. ), What Do You Call Someone From Panama? If it moves shoot it. Zone of Action -- A smaller section of a larger area. Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia. These small, climate-controlled trailers usually sleep between two and eight soldiers and is the primary unit of housing on larger bases. Recommended by user wilburbythepsea. And a wake up- A phrase used to count down to the end of training or deployment. Typically these are under the purview of a tactical unit, usually during an offensive maneuver. Find out more about what this space is all abouthere. IDF: Indirect Fire, or simply Indirect. (Helpful Content! (A variant: Thats for the birds. Its meaningless. Military Slang Dictionary That said, there was very little real animosity between different branches of the Armed Forces. The hat's wide top brim would need to be crushed down to allow for headsets to be worn. The term is a reference to the fact that the RAF wore blue uniforms, and the Army was also given a blue powder with which to treat the STD crabs. PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402. Firstly we have bootneck, a term used to describe Royal Marines in the British Army. Fart Sack -- Refers to a sleeping bag or an airman's flight suit. The US military drawdown in Afghanistan which is underway but still awaiting the outcome of a proposed bilateral security agreement is often referred to by soldiers as "the retrograde," which is an old military euphemism for retreat. (Glossary of Army Slang, US Army PR, 1941. Unit Identification Code -- An alphanumeric, six-character string that identifies all active, reserve, and guard units of the United States military. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you relevant, fact-based and human-centered news from across the globe. Ex: Thank god we only have 12 days and a wake up left in this hell hole., Ate up A service member with no military bearing or operating out of military regulation, Barney style- A phrase used to tell someone or ask someone to describe something in easy-to-understand terms. "Got Your Six"- A phrase service members use to say they have your back. Recommended by user Nathan King. Here we have a Navy term, one used in both the British and Australia Navy. Anzac soup. Flight Suit Insert -- Air Force slang for a pilot. Man Love Thursday: Soldiers use this phrase to half-joke that on Thursdays in southern Afghanistan men customarily have sex with each other so that they will not be distracted by lustful thoughts on Friday, the Muslim day of prayer. Big Voice -- Term used to describe the loudspeaker on a military base. It is directly borrowed from the French word for soldier, pronounced mat-low. Major Nuclear Power -- Any nation-state with a nuclear arsenal capable of being delivered to any other nation in the world. ), British Slang For Wonderful (12 Examples! Example: The soldiers lined up at the roach coach to grab a quick As the loosened dust dries, it gains the consistency of flour. The line crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that dates back as far as the 18th Century, in which older Shellbacks harass the initiates. Weapons of Mass Destruction -- Weapons that can cause destruction or death beyond the ability of conventional weapons. Pill Pusher -- A U.S. Navy term for a hospital corpsman. 11 Bullet Catcher/Bang-Bang -- An Army infantryman. 40 Mike-Mike -- An M203 grenade launcher, usually mounted under an M-16 or similar weapon. The term can be applied to the deceased as well as broken pieces of equipment. When youve just been promoted, you are called a full screw, though for reasons not really known. How to Take the Guesswork out of Army Basic Training, Military Ranks: Everything You Need to Know, 6 Tips for Basic Trainees Who Want to Keep Their Drill Instructors Happy, Last-Minute Tips for Taking the Navy-Wide Advancement Exam, Iraqi Muslims Protest Quran Burning in Sweden, Plans For World's Tallest Flag Divides Maine Town, Rebellion Shows 'Cracks' in Russia System, Per NATO Head, Not Guilty Plea in NYC Subway Chokehold Death. As the loosened dust dries, it gains the consistency of flour. Fang -- A verb to describe being rebuked, called out or otherwise disparaged. This term originated during the Vietnam War and experienced limited use by civilians. (Dunlap), Browned off: Annoyed or fed up. Military slang is an array of colloquial terminology used commonly by military personnel, including slang which is unique to or originates with the armed forces. ), What Do You Call Someone From Malta? Hangfire- To wait until youre given the next orders. Demilitarized Zone -- A specific area in which any type of military force -- including but not limited to personnel, hardware and infrastructure -- are banned. Powerpoint Ranger: A soldier who is tasked primarily with building Powerpoint presentations for commanders' briefings. Willy Pete: White Phosphorus. CHUs are unarmored and very vulnerable to rocket attacks. Let's face it--out of all the things civilians don't understand about military life, vocabulary tops of the list. They are often abbreviations or derivatives of the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, or otherwise incorporating aspects of formal military concepts and terms.Military slang is also used to reinforce the (usually friendly) interservice Oxygen Thief: A useless soldier, or one who loves to hear himself or herself talk. Here's what you need to know. Scrambled Eggs -- Refers to the embellishments found on some officer's caps. BIG VOICE: The Big Voice broadcasts emergency instructions at Forward Operating Base Tagab in Kapisa Province. Called 100mph tape due to the belief it can withstand speeds of up to 100 mph when slapped on holes. Farts and Darts -- Refers to the clouds and lightning bolt embellishments found on Air Force officer caps. Comics -- Term used to describe maps presented by military intelligence. Whiskey Delta. Bullwinkle Badge -- Another name for the Air Assault Badge. They are built around supporting the regional military commands, and are logistical hubs for forces in the area. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But we cant do it without you: Our fiscal year ends on June 30, and we need your help to reach our funding goal to ensure we can continue our work. If possible, catch and throw back. From unnecessarily long acronyms to (at times) inappropriate phrases, military slang is a language of its own and it's something you take with you even when Pollywog -- A sailor who has not crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter. [1], Terms then end up being used in other industries as these GIs complete their services. Someone who lacks courage or is weak willed. Military Slang & Terms that Civilians Don't Know About TIC: (pronounced tick) Troops In Contact. Drill or PT (often during Basic Training in the 70's, or used against soldiers locked up in guard house or the WebMilitary slang phrases The military alphabet is often used for acronyms of military slang phrases. Its not entirely clear where this term comes from, but it is most likely simply an alteration of the word German. Rumint: A combination of rumor and intelligence. It references the closing of two other training facilities in San Diego and Orlando, which both feature far more enjoyable weather. The term refers to the red barrels that were filled with sand which you would discharge your weapon into to ensure it wasnt loaded. Never used to refer to a rifle or pistol. This was used for dismounted tank crew who got out of the tank, though it could also just be used for any infantry trooper. Military-issued pistols are usually called 9-mils. Bull**** Bomb -- A package intended to disperse propaganda leaflets. Salad Bar -- References the service ribbons found on a military uniform. As opposed to the Brown Zone, which refers to the more barren mountains. a Turkish 61 Military Slang, Sayings, and Terms Thatd Be Cool to In the British Army, regular soldiers who act high and mighty are called ARABs, which stands for Arrogant Regular Army Basta**. Over the Hill -- Missing in action or someone who officially has gone missing from their post. A common term for an Army soldier, which most likely derived from the popular action figure, G.I. Anymouse -- A lockbox on Navy ships where sailors may drop anonymous suggestions. Gofasters -- A term for sneakers used in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. (Helpful Content! SNAFU- Situation normal, all fucking up.. A regional proverb goes, "A bird flies over Kandahar with one wing covering its butt.". Make your tax-deductible gift today to support The Worlds independent, human-centered journalism. It was a joke reference to the way they could be crunched under the tank if they didnt pay enough attention. The slang that appeared in official compilations and in the pages of American Speech was often sanitized for public consumption. Military slang - Wikipedia August 1942. POO: Point Of Origin. Dittybopper -- A term in the Army referring to signals intelligence radio operators trained to utilize Morse code. First Light -- The time of nautical twilight when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon. Kinetic -- Slang adjective meaning violent. Delivered by mortar or artillery, this substance burns extremely hot and generates a lot of light. Recommended by user jloman42. ), What Do You Call Someone From Wales? The army is a place of profound camaraderie and comradeship, and so its not surprising that the army tends to give rise to a great deal of slang. The ingredients of the present dish have been selected with a view to the sedentary reader whose digestion is not so strong., Above all, the soldier-linguists who wrote in to American Speech were fascinated by the evolution of language they saw occurring in the military, as people from across the country came together in unfamiliar circumstances. The history of Irish soldiers in the British Army is unfortunately not a very pleasant one. Ending mercenary mutiny averted 'civil war,' Putin says - NBC News One example of a piece of derogatory slang used for Irish soldiers was bagger, which compared them to a sandbag and thus suggested they were useless. While seizing the weapons, soldiers raid Afghan villages, enraging the residents and legitimizing the Taliban's cause. 10 pounds of smashed asshole in a 5 pound sack, 15 minutes prior to 15 minutes prior to infinity, Buddy fucker or also known as a Bravo Foxtrot or Blue Falcon, Clack clack clack make sure Charlie dont come back, Dog and Pony Show, PX Ranger, Roman Helmet, Shammer, Hotter than two mice fucking in a wool sock. Chewed up/ Chewed out Similar to ate up, also being reprimanded from a senior leader. Shellback -- A sailor who has crossed the equator on a U.S. Navy ship. Stephon Flynn, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matt Grove, Spc. Gedunk -- Refers to snack foods, such as candy and chips, as well as the place they're sold. Chest Candy -- Slang for ribbons and medals worn on a uniform. 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day). Snivel Gear- Issued cold-weather clothing. galleries are progressively closed from 4 pm. Appendix : Glossary of British military slang and expressions Can Be Found Lingering Over an Afternoon Espresso, (Glossary of Army Slang, US Army PR, 1941, Henry Alexander, Words and the War, 1944. A Blue Falcon is someone who blatantly throws another Marine/soldier/sailor/airman under the bus. United States Marine Corps acronyms and expressions African-American soldiers draw rations in camp, Northern Ireland, ca. Echo Tango Sierra. The term is fairly derogatory in nature as a slight against the accuracy of the maps. (Alexander), Prang (verb): To smash or bomb a target. Bolo -- A derogatory remark for recruits who cannot pass marksmanship training. Secret Squirrel: Highly classified, Top Secret. For example, FUBAR evolved into Foobar as GIs coming home from World War II matriculated into Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with the first written use from a club at MIT called the Tech Model Railroad Club.[2]. Shavetail -- A term referring to second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. ), British Slang For Flatulence (Helpful Content! Appendix:Glossary of military slang - Wiktionary ), What Do You Call Someone From Zimbabwe? They would lift scabs to clean and treat wounds, thus scablifter. army Grape -- A term with two meanings; one for the Air Force and one for the Navy. Replaces the Vietnam-era REMF, or Rear-Echelon Motherf#@&er. Pad Eye Remover -- A nonexistent item used by sailors to trick new service members into a fruitless search. A "pogue" is an individual who does not serve on the frontlines and performs non-combat-oriented roles. Again, this one has largely fallen out of use now but was extremely common in the latter half of the 20th Century. -- A common phrase denoting a particular resource is gone. Big Voice: On military bases, loudspeakers broadcast urgent messages. It's an Armed Forces reserve that consists of reserve personnel who were previously active-duty soldiers. We can put you in touch with recruitersfrom the different military branches. shell-hole polluted by a corpse. ), British Slang For Helicopter (Explained! Military Slang Decoded: Unveiling the Hidden Language of Service Zonk Used to being released for the day after taking formation. Ex: Alright after this short brief, you should have a warm and fuzzy on how to PMCS a vehicle. Grunt, essentially anyone who isnt infantry. MRE: Meal, Ready to Eat. Chest Candy- All the ribbons and awards on a service member's dress uniform. Recommended by user David E Windsor II. The thrust of the term's meaning derives from the fact that it is incredibly difficult, some would say impossible, to make a sandwich out of soup. MEDEVAC: Medical evacuation of wounded personnel by helicopter. The signature weapon of the insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, IEDs are low-cost bombs that can be modified to exploit specific vulnerabilities of an enemy. This can include anything from RAF officers to pilots and engineers. Snake Eater -- Member of the U.S. Army Special Forces. Police Call- A phrase senior leaders use when they want an area clean, like a weapons range. Officer of the Deck -- Any officer charged with the operation of a ship. Sexual relationships between boys and men are notorious in Kandahar, but the stories of Man Love Thursday are likely apocryphal. military slang Fruit Salad -- Slang for a service member's display of medals and ribbons on a dress uniform. Recommended by user Steve Neal. Even if the commander is female, or not even particularly old, they may still be called the old man. FOB: Forward Operating Base. Alpha Charlie -- Military alphabet used to represent ass chewing. Taco -- An Air Force term for receiving an "unsatisfactory" grade on a training exercise due to the vague taco-shape of the letter "u.". Rotorhead -- Slang for a helicopter pilot. (Army Slang) Made to perform an action to excess e.g. Inactive Status -- Members of the Reserves who are unable to train for points, receive pay and cannot be considered for promotion. Embed: A reporter who is accommodated by the military command to observe operations firsthand. Its a simple acronym. When incoming rocket or mortar fire is detected by radar systems, the Big Voice automatically broadcasts a siren and instructions to take cover. This name derives from the old custom of wearing a leather stock around their necks, and has stuck ever since. A chocolate version is possible if cocoa powder is available. Iron Rations -- Rations used in an emergency survival situation. All contents It's as much about constructing the proper mindset as it Understanding military ranks can be tricky, especially when it comes to knowing the military ranks in order. Its not as common as it once was today, but at the same time not unheard of. Goon baiting. Threats prompt Tijuana mayor to move to military base. Remington Raider -- A somewhat derogatory term used for Marines given the harrowing task of performing office duties. Dustoff: Medical evacuation by helicopter. Brats wear the name like a badge of honor, often because of the moves, stressors and cultural experiences that make them more resilient than their civilian counterparts. Often the source of fruitless hunts embarked upon by hapless privates. For the purposes of this article, "military slang" includes slang used by any English-speaking armed forces (armies, navies, air forces). A jack tar is a fellow sailor or comrade, or it may also sometimes refer to an enthusiastic and overly proud sailor. This is a reference to the fact that penguins, though birds, cannot fly. The phrase is derived from the same anthropomorphizing applied to GPS units in cars, only Bitchin' Betty's alert pilots to life-threatening situations. Moon Dust: The earth around a combat outpost is rent by heavy construction vehicles. Great Mistakes -- The name sailors have given the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago. But, now your privacy is now your business, and 100% our priority. Joe. The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. Gun -- Term for a mortar or artillery piece. Fangs -- A Marine Corps term for one's teeth. It is only supposed to be used for illumination, as it should be considered a chemical weapon if used against people. Red Team -- A body of experts on a specific topic who are instructed to research and suggest alternative methods regarding a planned course of action. Oxygen Thief -- A biting piece of slang for someone who's useless or talks too much. Russian military leaders averted an all out "civil war" by persuading mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin to call off his armed march on Moscow over the weekend, Jack, as weve just seen, is or at least was a common expression in the British Army. Since the first rank in the Rick Atkinson ascribes the origin of SNAFU (Situation Normal, All Fucked Up), FUBAR (Fucked Up Beyond Any Repair or "All Recognition"), and a bevy of other terms to cynical GIs ridiculing the United States Army's penchant for acronyms. Woobie: Properly called a poncho liner, this lightly insulated blanket is usually issued to soldiers in Basic Training. Recommended by mw1968. 2023 Recommended by user sara. Commonly referred to as "the hawk.". Thus, the large number of slang terms related to complaining (or grousing), incompetence, the structures of military authority, and bad military food. Responsible for turning all Pollywogs into Shellbacks once they cross the equator themselves. WebMilitary slang is an array of colloquial terminology used commonly by military personnel, including slang which is unique to or originates with the armed forces.In English-speaking Australian War Memorial, Canberra. WebASAP - As Soon As Possible: This has become slang in normal speech but in the military it means "immediately." Football Bat -- An individual or way of doing things that is particularly odd. Slang Terms From World War CHU:(pronounced choo)Containerized Housing Unit. Joint Operation Planning -- All type of planning involving joint military forces in regard to military operations, including, but not limited to, mobilization, deployment and sustainment. (Ben Brody/GlobalPost), TIC: During the initial moments of an attack on Combat Outpost Baylough, Senior Airman Aaron Saylor crouches behind sandbags on the roof. (Ben Brody/GlobalPost), MEDEVAC: (l-r) Staff Sgt. A Wet CHU is a CHU that has its own bathroom, usually reserved for generals and other high-ranking individuals. Ratf#@&: The act of opening an MRE pouch, removing the choice parts of the meal, and putting the rest back in the box. Moving Like Pond Water -- Moving so slowly that a unique term is required to describe it. Our collection contains a wealth of material to help you research and find your connection with the wartime experiences of the brave men and women who served in Australias military forces. Soap chips -- A psychological operations (PSYOPS) tactic where fake letters from an enemy's home country are written and placed on bodies and battle wreckage. (Ben Brody/GlobalPost). Fugazi -- Completely out of whack, ****ed up, screwy. Putin wanted to wipe out Wagner chief Prigozhin during mutiny X digit midget refers to the number of days till an individual goes on leave or retires. A very specific term for a soldier based on their rank is full screw. of armed forces, and not solely of armies. Military Blowed up: Hit by an IED. Fuzzy: This is a synonym for the rank Private (E-1). A number of military slang terms are acronyms. Heres a list of some of the soldiers language that they saw emerging during and immediately after the war. ), Bedpan commando: Medical corpsman. Recommended by user DL_in _DEN. So called due to a fallacious belief that the Coast Guard never operates in deep water.