“All service men whether in khaki, blue, or field green are speaking a fresh and vigorous tongue these days, one all their own. What does this new language imply? Some might say: ‘Not much.’ But perhaps they don’t know their history. The new language means a lot. It indicates that all men are united by the words they speak. So the welding value of a fighter’s jargon is nothing to sneeze at.”
—Fighting Talk, by Francis Raymond Meyer, 1942
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| G.I. Janes |
War invariably births a culture all its own, and with it, a new language. Men are thrown together in close-knit, often boring, sometimes dangerous situations, and the slang they beget is both a product, and a reinforcer, of their camaraderie. Wartime slang creates an “us” vs. “them” dynamic — where them is not only the enemy, but the civilian population back home who cannot fully access the world of the fighting man.
Because of its scale, no war inspired more new slang than World War II. Thousands of new words and phrases were birthed during the Big One, and getting acquainted with them offers a fascinating and often humorous soldier’s-eye-view of the conflict.
Paul Dickson, author of War Slang: American Fighting Words and Phrases Since the Civil War, writes that “wars create great bodies of language that sound as different as do a musket, a M-1, and a Patriot missile.” Yet while the color changes, the subjects that come in for the slang-treatment are fairly timeless: the hardship of missing a girl back home, the risks of mingling with women on the front, the necessity of facing death (often with gallows humor), and of course, the terrible food. Men with jobs far from the action, as well as those in the field who don’t contribute to the esprit de corps — self-important egoists, suck-ups, lazy loafers, and conversational narcissists — earn an abundance of nicknames as well. Finally, chaplains have long been on the receiving end of both ribbing and affection, garnering for themselves a slew of both teasing and endearing monikers.
Below you’ll find just a sampling of the colorful slang used during WWII. Some of the words were around in previous wars, but were revived and popularized during the Big One. Others were brand new phrases, born on the European and Pacific fronts. A good portion of the slang made its way into civilian culture, and continues to be used today, particularly among Greatest Generation grandparents, and even their children. Some of the slang is of course salty fare, and includes terms now considered derogatory -- but keep in mind the time and conditions in which these fantastically artistic use of the language were created!
World War II Slang From the Front
Ack-Ack. Anti-aircraft fire.
Admiral of the Swiss Navy. A self-important person.
Ammo. Ammunition.
All-Out. With full vigor, determination, or enthusiasm.
Armed to the Teeth. Well equipped with firearms; alert; fully prepared; awake to danger.
Armored Cow. Canned milk. Variations: Armored Heifer; Canned Cow.
Army Banjo. Shovel.
Army Chicken. Franks and beans.
Army Strawberries. Prunes.
Asparagus Stick. A submarine’s periscope.
Asthma. The company wit, so-called because he’s full of wheezes (jokes).
AWOL. Absence without official leave.
Awkward Squad. Men who require extra instruction at drill.
Axle Grease. Butter.
BAM. A “broad-assed Marine” (i.e., a female Marine).
Baby. Mustard; from its resemblance to that which comes out of the hind end of an infant.
B-ache/bellyache. To complain.
Bags of Mystery. Sausages.
Bail Out. Parachute jump from plane; by extension, to get out of a situation like a date.
Baptized by Fire. To have been under enemy fire for the first time; to have received one’s first wounds.
Bath Tub. Motorcycle sidecar.
Battery Acid. Artificial lemonade powder included in K-rations — considered undrinkable and regularly discarded or used as cleaning solution.
Battle Breakfast. A Navy term referring to the heavy breakfast of steak and eggs commonly given to sailors and Marines on the morning of a combat operation.
Battle Watch. To do one’s best under difficult circumstances.
Bayonet Course. Hospital treatment for venereal diseases. “Bayonet” refers to the male member.
Beachhead. A beach where invading forces land; a fortified position on a beach.
Beat Your Gums. To talk a lot about something. Variations: Gumming; Jawing; Chin Music.
Become a Gold Star in Mom’s Window. A gentle way of saying killed in action.
Bedpan Commando. Medical corpsman.
Behavior Report. Letter to a girl back home.
Belly Cousin. A man who has slept with a woman you slept with.
Bite the Dust. Killed or wounded.
Blanket Drill. A nap.
Blind Flying. A date with a girl you have never seen.
Blister Foot. Infantryman.
Blister Mechanic. Hospital corpsman.
Blow It Out Your Barracks Bag! Shut up! Go to Hell!
Body Snatcher. Stretcher bearer.
Bone. To study.
Borrowed Brass. False courage inspired by drugs or drink. Variations: Bought Guts; Drugstore Nerve.
Bottled Sunshine. Beer.
Broad With a Heat Wave. Passionate woman; women with a venereal disease.
Broad With a Load of Lettuce. A woman of wealth.
Broad With Canned Goods. A virgin.
Brown-noser. Ass-kisser. To curry favor, or “boot-lick.” Variation: Brownie.
Brush-Off Club. Men in the armed forces who have been dumped by their girlfriends. Variation: The Ex-Darling Club.
BTO. Big Time Operator — someone who thinks he’s important.
Buck Private. The lowest rank in the Army.
Bug Juice. Insect repellent.
Bunk Lizard. A lazy solider with a sloth-like attraction to his bed. Variation: Sack Rat.
Burn and Turn. Game of blackjack.
Canned Morale. A movie.
Cash in One’s Chips. To die.
Cast-Iron Bathtub. Battleship.
Cast the Last Anchor. To die.
Cat’s Beer. Milk.
Chair-Borne Infantry. Desk workers.
Chatterbox. Machine gun.
Check Out. To be killed; to die.
Chicken Berry. An egg.
Chicken Shit. The G.I.’s name for service regulations and the seemingly endless make-work chores. Sometimes abbreviated as C.S.
Chow Hound. Men who always wind up at the head of the mess line.
Table Muscle. Fat.
Cit. A civilian; from “citizen”
Civvies. Civilian clothing.
Coffee Cooler. One who seeks easy jobs; a loafer.
Collision Mats. Pancakes or waffles.
Completely Cheesed. Bored to an extreme.
Cooking With Gas. Having become wise to something.
Cool as a Cucumber. Alert and aware; self-possessed; calm.
Cool Hand. One who is cool as a cucumber.
Corner Turner. A deserter.
Cracked Egg. A silly or stupid person.
Crumb Up. To get a haircut, shoeshine, freshly pressed shirt, etc., in preparation for an inspection.
Cupid’s Itch. Any venereal disease.
Dad. The oldest member of a group.
Dead Battery. An irritable or gloomy person; a pessimist.
Dead Nuts On. Fond of; in love with.
Dear John. A letter from one’s wife or sweetheart informing one that the relationship is over.
Devil Beater. Chaplain.
Devil Dogs of the Sea. The Marines.
Devil’s Piano. A machine gun.
Devil’s Voice. A bugle call.
Dirty Gertie of Bizerte. A promiscuous woman.
Do a Hitch. To serve an enlistment.
Do One’s Bit. To serve in the military in time of war; to engage in war work.
Dogface. Infantryman.
Dog Food. Corned beef hash.
Dog Show. Foot inspection.
Dog Tags. Two metal identification tags worn around the neck, one to be collected and one to be left with the body after death.
Do-Re-Mi. Money.
Downhill. The second half of an army enlistment.
Duck Soup. An easy task.
Dude Up. To dress in one’s best uniform.
Eager Beaver. A soldier is so anxious to impress his superiors that he volunteers for every job that’s offered, or otherwise displays unusual diligence.
Eagle Day. Payday; also known as “the day the eagle shits.” A reference to the American eagle that appears on some coins.
Ear Beater. A person who doesn’t let you get a word in edgewise.
Egg in Your Beer. Too much of a good thing.
Eight Ball. A solider who gets into trouble so much that he’s a liability to his unit; from the old notion that it is bad luck to be behind the eight ball in pocket billiards.
Eisenhower Jacket. A short, fitted, belted jacket of the type made popular by General Dwight D. Eisenhower during the war.
Emily Posters. Naval cadets; so-called because they were given a condensed edition of an etiquette book by Emily Post.
File 13. Wastebasket.
Flak. Abbreviated form of German word Fliegerabwehrkanone, or “pilot warding-off cannon” (anti-aircraft fire).
Flyboy. A glamorous pilot (usually used ironically).
FUBAR. Fouled (or fucked) up beyond all recognition.
Garbage Catcher. A metal mess tray with eight depressions in which food is served.
Gasoline Cowboy. Member of the armored division (usually a tank driver).
Gertrude. An office clerk.
Get-Alongs. Legs.
Get Cracking. To get started; to get into the air. Borrowed from the British RAF.
G.I. Government Issue; an enlisted soldier. “Being G.I.” means doing only what is authorized and not wishing to take any risks.
Gibson Girl. A hand-cranked radio transmitter included in aircraft life rafts; so-called because of its wasp-waisted shape, reminiscent of the beautiful, idealized women drawn by Charles D. Gibson.
G.I. Jane. A member of the Women’s Army Corps. Variations: G.I. Jill and G.I Josephine
G.I. Jesus. Chaplain.
G.I. Joe. A soldier.
Gink. A stupid person.
Ginkus. A contrivance; a thingumajig.
Give It the Deep Six. Forget it; keep it a secret. From older naval slang for burial at sea, which was known as “the deep six,” probably from the custom of burying people six feet underground.
Good-Time Charley. A person given to carousing; a generous person.
Grandma Gear. Low gear.
Gravel Agitator. Infantryman.
Guardhouse/Barracks Lawyer. A person who knows little but talks much about regulations, military law, and “soldier’s rights.”
Ham That Didn’t Pass Its Physical. Spam, the "meat" which was served to soldiers up to 2-3 times per day.
Hashburner. Cook.
Hangar Warrior. An airplane mechanic who boasts about what he would do if he were a pilot.
Haywire. Used to describe a piece of equipment that was not behaving itself, or an event that took a bad turn. Derived from the use of haywire (baling wire) to make farm repairs.
Hubba, Hubba! An exclamation of approbation, thrill, or enthusiasm by a man for a woman.
Jane. A Woman.
Jane-Crazy. Over fond of women.
Jap. Japanese person; anything Japanese.
Jawbreakers. Army biscuits.
Jeep. A small, low, khaki-colored car in general use in the Army.
Jeepable. Impassable except by a jeep (said of a rough road).
Jerry. A German; anything German.
Joe. Coffee.
“Joe Blow” Biography. A short biographical article featuring a fighting man, written for publication in a hometown newspaper.
Juice. Electricity.
Juice Jerker. Electrician.
Just Sweating Member. Pending or prospective member of the Brush-Off Club; he doesn’t know where the hell he stands but the mail doesn’t bring in “Sugar Reports” any longer.
Khaki-Whacky. A woman overly fond of men in uniform.
Knucklebuster. Crescent wrench.
Kraut. A German; from “sauerkraut.”
Latrine Rumors. Unfounded reports
Lay an Egg. Drop a bomb.
Looseners. Prunes.
Low on Amps and Voltage. Lacking ambition and ideas.
Mae West. An inflatable life jacket that fit around the neck and down the chest, and bulged the chest when inflated. -- named for the singer who bore the same name and was known for her small waist and large bust.
Maggie’s Drawers. Red flag used on the rifle range to indicate a miss; as in, “He fired a full clip but all he got was Maggie’s drawers.”
Mickey Mouse Movies. Instructional films on personal hygiene.
Mickey Mouse Rules. Petty rules, regulations, and red tape.
Million Dollar Wound. A wound that took a soldier out of combat, and even perhaps back to the US for treatment, but did not permanently cripple or maim him.
Misery Pipe. Bugle.
Moo Juice. Milk.
Monkey Clothes. Full dress uniform.
Mousetrap. Submarine.
Mud Eater. Infantryman.
Ninety-Day Wonder. An officer who holds a commission by virtue of having attended a three-months course direct from civilian life.
Nip. A Japanese person. Short for “Nippon” — a reading of the Japanese word for Japan.
Nut Buster. Mechanic.
O.A.O. One-and-only (as in “one-and-only-girl”).
Padre. The chaplain.
Paragraph Trooper. A member of the “Chair-Borne Infantry.”
Pecker Checker. A medical person who checks for evidence of venereal disease.
Peep (Son of a Jeep). Bantam car, used in organizations in which jeep is applied to larger vehicles.
Penguin. Air Force service member who doesn’t fly.
Pep Tire. A doughnut.
Pig Snout. A gas mask.
Pineapple. A hand grenade.
Pinup. A picture of a woman for a soldier to pin up on the wall of his quarters.
Podunk. A soldier’s hometown.
Pocket lettuce. Paper money.
Popsey/Popsie. Girlfriend.
Popsicle. Motorcycle.
P.S. Man. One with previous military experience; one with a previous term of enlistment.
Put That in Your Mess Kit! Think it over.
Ratzy. A German; a blend of “rat” and “Nazi.”
Reg’lar. Regular; first-rate; excellent; a regular soldier.
Retread. A veteran of World War I fighting in World War II.
Ribbon Happy. Dazzled by one’s own decorations.
Rock-Happy. Bored, especially on the rocky islands and atolls of the Pacific.
Roger! Expression used instead of okay or right.
Rootin’, Tootin’ Son of a Gun. An energetic person.
Rookie. A recruit.
Royal Order of Whale Bangers. An “exclusive” club open only to airmen who have mistakenly dropped depth charges on whales, supposing them to be enemy submarines.
Sandpaper the Anchor. To do unnecessary work.
Saltwater Cowboy. Marine.
Sea Dust. Salt.
See the Chaplain. Stop grousing; resign yourself to an unpleasant situation. In other words, I don’t care about your problem. Go tell someone who’s paid to care.
Serum. Intoxicating beverages.
Shack Man. Married man.
Shingles. Toast.
Shit on a Shingle. Chipped or creamed beef on toast. Abbreviated as S.O.S.
Short Arm. Penis.
Short Circuit Between the Ear Phones. Mental lapse.
Shrapnel. Grape-Nuts.
Shutters. Sleeping pills.
Side Arms. Cream and sugar for coffee.
Sin Buster. Chaplain.
Six-and-Twenty Tootsie. A girl who makes a flying cadet so heedless of time that he returns late from weekend leave, thereby incurring six demerits and twenty punishment tours.
Sky Scout. Chaplain.
Snafu. Situation normal, all fouled (or fucked) up.
Snore Sack. Sleeping Bag.
S.O.L. Shit out of luck; often sanitized as “sure out of luck” or “soldier out of luck.”
Son of Mars. A soldier.
Soul Aviator. Chaplain.
Soup. Clouds, rain, and most of all, fog.
Spud Duty. Kitchen police (K.P.) assignment (i.e., peeling potatoes).
Spuds with the Bark On. Unpeeled potatoes.
Stinkeroo. Poor in quality; low grade.
Stripe-Happy. A soldier too eager for promotion.
Sugar Report. A letter from a girl.
Suicide Squad. Those who operate a machine gun under fire.
Superman Drawers. Woolen underwear.
Superman Suit. Long, one-piece government-issue underwear.
Swacked. Intoxicated.
Sweat Something Out. Wait a long time for something.
That’s All She Wrote. That’s all; a customary cry of the company mail clerk at the end of the mail call.
That’s for the Birds. Nonsense, drivel, irrelevant matter.
Thousand-Yard-Stare. Name given to the look of a man with a combat-harrowed psyche.
Tiger Meat. Beef.
Tin Pickle. A torpedo or submarine.
T.N.T. Today, not tomorrow.
Torpedo Figure. A woman with a good figure.
Tough Row of Buttons to Shine. A hard job.
T.S. Tough situation! Tough shit! In other words, don’t be discouraged because of hard luck.
T.S. Slip. When a soldier’s complaints become unbearable, his listeners frequently tell him to fill out a “T.S. Slip” and send it to the chaplain.
Uncle Sam’s Party. Payday.
U.S.O. Commando. Hometown hero.
Valley Forge. Temporary tent city in cold weather.
Walkie-Talkie. Portable radio receiving and sending apparatus. Variations: Handie-Talkie, and Spam Can Radio, after its similarity to a can of Spam.
Walrus. One who cannot swim.
Wash Out. To be eliminated from flight training.
Wilco. Will comply. This radio code was used throughout the services and taken up by civilians. “Roger — wilco,” means “Okay — I’ll do it.”
Zombie. A soldier falling in the lowest category in the Army classification test.
-- terms taken from Paul Dickson's War Slang: American Fighting Words and Phrases Since the Civil War, and Gordon Rottman's FUBAR: Soldier Slang of WWII.
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Bruce holds a degree in Computer Science from Temple University, a Graduate Certificate in Biblical History from Liberty University and is working a Master Degree in American History at American Public University. He has worked in educational and technology for over 18 years, specializes in building infrastructures for schools that work to support the mission of technology in education in the classroom. He also has served as a classroom teacher in Computer Science, History and English classes.
Bruce is the author of five books: Sands of Time, Towering Pines Volume One:Room 509, The Star of Christmas, Philadelphia Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel and The Insider's Story: A Lance Carter Detective Novel -- with a new book, Learn the Basics: Digital Forensics, due soon.
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