WW2-originated phrases

I heard something the other day that got me thinking: I'd bet that there are more than a few common phrases or figures of speech that - believe it or not - have come directly from the second world war. I know "the whole nine yards" referred to a fighter pilot using all of his ammunition in the wing belts that were, you guessed it - nine yards.

Also, "go for broke" originated from a famous Japanese-American unit that was supposed to be one of the most decorated in the war. I forget their name, though.

Can anyone think of others???

 

"Gung Ho!" (remeber the movie?) came from the Pacific theatre. It actually means "Work together" in Japanese or chinese.

I dont mean to be racist, but Nips (short for Nippon) and Japs also came to during the Pacific theater.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>From this new type of warfare came the term near miss, which described a bomb exploding in the water near enough to a ship to damage its hull <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> It is from World War II that we have the term to goof off, meaning to shirk or laze about <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This information came from http://www.worldwarii.com/MHQ/articles/2001/winter013_text.htm

 

Killjoy wuz here.

SNAFU Situation Normal-All Fouled Up.

Dear "John" letter

"Short Arm Practice" (self sex)

"Belly Robber" (Army cook)

"Vo-de-oh-do" (too nasty a phrase to tell you what it really means) Basically a way to show that you are in need of gratifying companionship with the opposite sex)

"Screeming Meemees" (The sound that the German weapon "Nebelwerfer" made when fired at the G.I's.

"G.I." (Government Issue)

GI. Joe (Any US Serviceman)

"Sweet Sue From Kalamazoo" (A sometimes used compliment from a G.I. who is talking about a beautiful female)

"Barrage Balloon" (A person full of hot air--or someone who passes gas frequently)

"Heebie Jeebies" (Someone who is jittery)

Sorry thats all I could think of.

 

Heres another.

"Sh** On A Shingle" (Chipped Beef and Gravy on Toast) which is a favorite of mine.

 

How about GP = General Purpose which turned into Jeep.

 

Thanks-I had forgotten about that one. It's also a good thing the name was changed. It would sound rather stupid to tell someone: "Private, go get my general purpose and have it here in three minutes, and THATS AN ORDER SOLDIER!!!"

"Which general purpose is the General needing?"

"Sergeant, have you replaced the Distributer on that general purpose yet?"

See what I mean?????????

 

LOL i think "Mussolini" got confused and put his post in the wrong place!
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mussolini:
I think we are all retards! We forgot:

FUBAR : Fu**ed Up Beyond All Reality (or is it Reason?)

um....what about: Jerries / Tommies?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Actually, if you use our posts as official sources, I will personally see to it that when I'm done with you, you'll have to eat through a straw for the rest of your life

I'm just wondering how many phrases are out there that you would never think about.

 

"Copping some Flak" meaning nowadays to cop criticism came from US and Brit bomber crews

 

How about this one? "Mowing The Lawn". This was used by USAAF fighter pilots who would be less than a few feet of draging their aircrafts belly on the ground while strafing German aircraft and vehicles.

[ 17 June 2001: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

 

If I go tell my mom I'm going to mow the lawn, should she be afraid I may be shot down in the yard? heh

 

"If the tanks succeed, victory follows"

(Heinz Guderian)

 

Hey Jackson? Mine would tell me, "Just get out there and get started".

 

Here in Brazil, at the time of WW2, was some parties with music and dancing at the city of Natal, where was the U.S. air base.
That party was "for all" people, U.S. military and Brazilian civilian.
So, later that kind of music and dance was named to "Forró" ("Forrall"), that was the way of the Brazilian say that english words "For All".

 

FUBAR:

Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition

just like me!

 

In the Netherlands, famous for its many bicycles, its quite common that when your bike gets stolen comments are made such as :

too bad, its probably already in Germany. or blame it on our neighbours from the east.

German soldiers were often commandeering bicycles, especially late 1944 when the allies were advancing to holland.

During football matches between holland and Germany, orange supporters often sing songs such as Wir sind die Krieg nicht vergessen! which means as much as we have not forgotten the war.... Dutch soccer teams that have ties with german teams are often called NSB, which was the Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging, the Dutch equivalent of the NSDAP.

 

Hey Mart, neat sayings. I forgot an important one which is used by Paras as they are jumping GERONIMO................ Thats the name to a famous Apache Indian Chief who gave the US Cavalry much hell. Geronimo is Apache/Spanish for Jerome.

 

bump