British army slang words

Oftentimes, its not so much the word itself thats awesome but the usage of it so. British colonial military terms and soldier slang note. Egg banjo a fried egg sandwich, so called because when it is. Yet while the color changes, the subjects that come in for the slangtreatment are fairly timeless. This is our third feature in a series for anyone struggling to understand the military language that their son, daughter, mother, father or an exmilitary colleague is using with help from our goto guidedictionary of all the words and phrases that you will ever need to know. The indian word dobi meaning washing or laundry has been used ever since the british military were stationed there. Many british military slang words had an indian origin and spread from there throughout the world.

Doolally a person who is insane, crazy british army slang, dating from the british raj in india. These are some words that people around me use frequently, i use them too but god forbid my parents ever hear me say them. A monster online dictionary of the rich colourful language we call slang. In this list, i put those indian words and phrases that were anglicized and that i think native indians would not have used, such as pukka sahib. When such words are herein used or referenced, they are marked with the flag dm different meaning. The book is the true account of a us isa covert paramilitary operation, dubbed. Dictionary of english slang and colloquialisms of the uk. Jan 22, 2020 the term half screw is british army slang used to describe someone holding the rank of lance corporal. Another british slang for this activity is wag off, which means to waste time while at work. Very mild, yet apparently originated as rhyming slang for berkeley hunt.

Army slang is a subdivision of slang, indeed it is a particularly fine example which is almost incomprehensible to civvies. Angloindian army slang british people who lived or served in india often assimilated hindi and urdu words into their daily conversations. Glossary of british military slang and expressions. Jul 23, 2014 t he first world war was a surprisingly fertile period for the english language. 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 m1, and a patriot missile. While the united states has bae and lit, the united kingdom uses bloke and legless. This content contains adult themes and strong language which some might find offensive.

The indian word dobi meaning washing or laundry has been used ever since the british. Apparently derived from an old music hall song called archibald, certainly not. A nostalgic term used by kids in reference to desserts like sticky toffee pudding and custard. List of army and military abbreviations and slang words and phrases with their meanings. Sep 28, 2017 british army top slang words my gear camera.

Based on a badly dressed, mentally retarded character in the soap opera crossroads. Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speakers language. This is bone this is a common army phrase that refers to something. Remf rear echelon mother fxxker nfi not fxxking interested sparky reme rickshaw cabs and taxi rct royal corps. Meaning of british slang words astronomy, to me, is the extraordinary study of the planets, moons, comets, and other celestial objects in the solar system. These are the top slang words that would be normally used in some conversations and in general be considered normal use of the english language. The british army has a centurieslong tradition of picking up slang terms from the many countries in which it serves, both within the british empire and from other places around the world. The brits are as fond of slang some dating back centuries as the rest of the world. Top 100 most beautiful british slang words and phrases. Here are some examples of american and british military slang that date to the period of the american revolution. The anthology is filled with slang words and terms of the kind dictionary scribe samuel. The british army, like most armies around the world, have their own language which is often incomprehensible to many a civilian. Gradually these were disseminated through the indian army and the colonial civilian population, and thanks to the first world war, throughout the british army and the forces of the rest of the empire.

American troops, particularly militia, sometimes loaded their muskets with a few buckshot as well as a standard musket ball to inflict more casualties at close range. A brick short of a load same as a sandwich short of a picnic, i. Refers to a generous portion of bacon sandwiched between two slices of white bread, with loads of butter and any kind of condiment you so wish to include. Military alphabet is often used by service men and women as a form of slang or euphemism. Army lingo is littered with opaque references photo. Bohica bend over, here it comes again is the title of a bestselling 1987 book by scott t. Words with specific british english meanings that have different meanings in american andor additional meanings common to both languages e. The team at the business insider uk office have compiled a list of the best british slang and idioms that define the weird and wonderful british dialect we grew up with. Some are hilarious, some are rude and some are interesting. Army military abbreviations acronyms slang words list of army and military abbreviations and slang words and phrases with their meanings. People discussed language, collected slang, and argued about the origins of words and phrases. Heres our list of our top 100 favorite british slang words and phrases.

Oct 29, 2014 the british army has a centurieslong tradition of picking up slang terms from the many countries in which it serves, both within the british empire and from other places around the world. The most experienced, disciplined and loyal army in the world. British military slang or phrases you need to know 2. Army military abbreviations acronyms slang words sussex armed. Perhaps one of the most internationally famous british slang terms, bollocks has a multitude of uses, although its top ones including being a curse word used to indicate dismay, e.

Bone is a favourite army term for something pointless. British military slang or phrases you need to know forces network. What i mean is that this once mighty british empire that more or less covered a quarter of the worlds land surface could not ever have imagined that english would evolve to almost a million words and almost every single one of them would be. How the war in afghanistan shaped the british armys slang. A short essay giving an outline of the parameters of this dictionary and brief information on slang can be. Glossary of british terms not widely used in the united. This results from the need for expedient and clear communication. Just knowing english isnt enoughyou have to understand the slang. British military slang or phrases you need to know 3. Stag duty teenyweeny airways the army air corps sky pilot the padre hes got his head in the clouds talking to his boss. But whether youre going to the old blighty yourself, or trying to complete a course in british literature, its good to know some common terms, phrases and, possibly, curses. British slang is a fountain of beautiful words that we dont normally use in america.

The british army, like most armies around the world, have their own. No other language in the world has been as bastardised as this one. If you are unable to immediately find the term you are looking for, try the slang search. Brush up on the weird and wacky words that make up british slang. Military slang is a set of colloquial terms which are unique to or which originated.

Many british military slang words had their origin in india and spread from there throughout the empire. Jul 26, 2017 the word was used by troops to describe avoiding a fight and the british army borrowed the shorthand, adapting it to skive. In this list, i put words that i think might have been used by either british or indians or words that were specific to india. British army slang for the falkland islands civilians during the falklands war and locals around bases in the west country. British army slang for the falkland islands civilians during the. Hat hat or crap hat is a derogatory term for the standard originally khaki, now dark blue beret worn by regular soldiers in the british army, in contrast to those worn in the special regiments typically red or green. The term half screw is british army slang used to describe someone holding the rank of lance corporal. Military slang of the revolutionary war era history is fun. And todaypost is about where it all started british slang. British term for cylinderdischarged gas, used in communications to try to keep the use of it a secret. Cricket ball british number 15 hand grenade, this grenade went on to be unsuccessful at the battle of loos, where wet conditions rendered it useless. Top 10 army slang phrases we use at home 14 jun 2014 and while the army jargon and slang that comes with it may be really confusing at first, before long its just as much of. This is a list of established military terms which have been in use for at least 50 years. Plus, unlike the americans, we do not blow up our allies in combat.