international slang from WW2

[Ed James]

I was reading with fascination the thread on native speakers posting to each other in their own languages. I think it is a great idea; anything that will foster harmony and a greater understanding and development of SPWAW is positive.

I also noted some of the contributors who do not speak English as a native language wished they understood the slang used by English speaking writers to this forum. I certainly sympathize, as I know every language has its own idioms and slang.

There were numerous expressions that developed in World War II that have become part of the American English language. For example, today Americans use the expression 'The whole nine yards' without even knowing its origin. This expression means 'the whole thing' or 'the entire package.' There was even a recent movie by this title.

The origin is that American fighter mechanics would inspect the MG ammunition used by their pilots upon return from a sortie. They would check to see if he shot up 'the whole nine yards,' which was the length of the ammo belt.

Any other interesting or unusual international expressions out there that came from WW2 and are still used today?

Ed James

[Jeff Norton]

Ed,
How about FUBAR... We used it frequently when I was in the Army. It actually fit, most of the time :^)
Also, SNAFU does fit also.
Plus, when I went into a Kuaiti house, I actually saw a "Killroy was here" motif on one wall. Complete with drooping nose...

Trying to explain that to one of my guys, I suddenly felt VERY old, but I was 29 at the time... <sigh>

Those were the days...

-Jeff
PS: I had a VERY dusty HUMMV and I drew the Key and Sheild from LAH PzDiv on the back-end of my truck, above our ID markers. Got a cool picture of it, too. Got asked by my CO what it ment, him being such a great student of Military history. Told him it was the Unit symbol of my Grandpa's MP unit during WW2. He bought it (you gotta wonder about some of those West Point guys at times...)

[halstein]

Well, I think that "Thousand Yard Stare" are WWII. I have heard it used "today". Flak are also used. And I know what FUBAR means. I know it were introduced in the 70's here in Norway, by Texan oil-workers. Don't know if it is still used. What it meant, was explained in a book I had in the subject "Cultural Understanding"

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Halstein