Author Topic: Current GI idioms and phrases in the FOB and Fobbit-era (Read 2424 times)

wingnutx · « **on:** November 20, 2006, 07:03:48 AM »

This guy is collecting GI expressions.

http://austinbay.net/blog/?p=1534

Found via Blackfive.net

Eleven Mike · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:14:40 AM »

FOB? Fobbit?

wingnutx · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:32:04 AM »

FOB = Forward Operating Base, i.e. a secure base of operations

Fobbit = somebody that never goes outside the wire.

280plus · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2006, 10:27:51 AM »

FUBAR - "fouled" up beyond all repair

SNAFU - Situation normal, all "fouled" up

Then there's one I just saw yesterday that brought back fond memories

SOS "poop" on a shingle - (Creamed chipped beef on toast) In this resturant I was at they called it "The General MacArthur" grin

wingnutx · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2006, 10:30:13 AM »

I like SOS.

My brother in law is a gourmet chef, and SOS is his favorite dish.

Eleven Mike · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2006, 10:43:41 AM »

Quote

FUBAR - "fouled" up beyond all repair
SNAFU - Situation normal, all "fouled" up

We could trade the old stand-bys all day long, but I think we're looking for new or obscure military slang here. No offense intended, Mr. Plus.

280plus · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2006, 11:59:13 AM »

Sorry, I was only trying to help sad

Devonai · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2006, 07:49:44 PM »

Off the top of my head:

TCN: Third-Country National

POG: Persons Other than Grunts

Pogey Bait: Food or other small items of value for trading with the above

Woobie: Poncho liner

Snivel Gear: Any extra cold weather gear you feel like bringing

MRE: Meal, Rarely Edible

Edit: Yep, they're all there.

doczinn · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2006, 08:57:53 PM »

Hmmm, I've got some Gastro-Intestinal "expressions" for him.

grin

Eleven Mike · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2006, 03:08:26 AM »

Actually, the word is "pogue" and has many etymological explanations, most of them implying that the "pogue" is a homosexual. "Personnel Other than Grunt" appears to have been made up after the fact.

wingnutx · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2006, 05:30:48 AM »

The Pogues are a great Irish band, too.

charby · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2006, 06:52:35 AM »

FNG= F'ing New Guy

Eleven Mike · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2006, 07:29:33 AM »

F'ing old slang.

The Rabbi · « **Reply #13 on:** November 21, 2006, 11:13:28 AM »

Hajji, the current enemy.

wingnutx · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2006, 11:34:30 AM »

Haji is everybody over there, good, bad, or otherwise.

Local shops are 'haji stores'.

Civilians from other countries are TCNs.

peteinct · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:03:51 PM »

P J O"Rourke said in his book "Give War a Chance" that MRE stood for meals refused by ethiopians.

pete

wingnutx · « **Reply #16 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:06:37 PM »

I've hear 'rejected by ethiopians' a lot.

Great book, btw.

doczinn · « **Reply #17 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:34:56 PM »

FWIW, "Hajji," although often used as a pejorative, is closer to a term of respect. It denotes a Muslim who has performed the hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #18 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:38:05 PM »

That's true, but I've always assumed that the Iraqis and other Mid-Eastern Muslims out there would take it as a mocking use of one of their religious terms. But perhaps I am wrong. Does anyone know how they react to way our soldiers use the term?

doczinn · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:43:10 PM »

Quote

I've always assumed that the Iraqis and other Mid-Eastern Muslims out there would take it as a mocking use of one of their religious terms

They probably would, but I've never heard it used when speaking to them, only when speaking about them with other Americans.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #20 on:** November 21, 2006, 12:58:06 PM »

Are you in-country, Doc?

wingnutx · « **Reply #21 on:** November 21, 2006, 01:26:10 PM »

Haji is used similar to how the Brits use 'yank'.

As a noun or an adjective.

doczinn · « **Reply #22 on:** November 21, 2006, 02:20:32 PM »

Quote

Are you in-country, Doc?

Not since September 2003!

News:

Author Topic: Current GI idioms and phrases in the FOB and Fobbit-era (Read 2424 times)