SNAFU Situation Normal All F***ed Up: Sailor, Airman, and Soldier Slang of World War II

By Gordon L. Rottman

Military life has always been ruled by its own language, specific sets of terms and phrases that separate the serving man or woman from their civilian counterpart. There is the official version of ranks and acronyms, and the more unofficial, colloquial language of the barrack room and battlefield. This new title explores the language and slang of the major combatant powers, delving into their origins and explaining their uses. All of this will be illustrated with contemporary cartoons and other images showing the phrases in use. This title is designed specifically as a follow-up to 2007's FUBAR: Soldier Slang of World War II, and will differ from the original book in that it will cover the slang of sailors and airman, as well as soldiers. Detailed sections will be included for each of the major combatants of World War II, and additional appendices will detail the nicknames given to the major surface vessels and aircraft types of the war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Oct 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781472806437

Gordon L. Rottman

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.

Book preview

AMERICAN SLANG

BACKGROUND

US Navy slang terms were quite colorful and greatly influenced by words picked up in foreign ports of call, especially China where the Navy had been deployed long before World War II. Navy jargon retained many traditional terms and phrases through the war, but new phrases were also added as new types of vessels and weapons systems appeared. The US Coast Guard, which was placed under the control of the Navy during the war, used much of the same jargon.

The bridge gang, especially the signalmen, were kept busy on all watches. (Author’s Collection)

GO FIND A…

Recruits or gullible men newly assigned to a ship were frequently told to go find some nonsensical or nonexistent item or piece of equipment. They were usually told to ask a specific individual, undoubtedly a crusty old petty officer with little sense of humor who would usually go along with the gag. The Army, Marines, and Air Force had their own versions:

Hammock ladder – essential for climbing into a swaying hammock. Hundred feet of shore line – or any other quantity for that matter. Bulkhead remover – with no clear description of what it looked like. Crow’s nest – it might be occupied by a lookout.

BT punch – the sailor would be sent to a boiler tech (BT) who would punch him on the arm. Along the same lines be may be sent to the bosun’s locker for a bosun’s punch. (It would hurt too.)

Bucket of steam from the boiler room – used for cleaning greasy parts.

Smoke preventer – when asking officers and petty officers where one could be found, the searching sailor would eventually realize that there may not be any such item.

Can of holdback grease from supply – no one had any idea what it held back.

Report to the bridge to grease the relative bearing – take a rag to clean your hands and speak properly to the officer on watch.

Mail buoy – seamen on their first cruise were told to spend the night writing letters so they could be posted to the mail buoy the ship would pass the next day, even if they were mid-Atlantic. They also could be set on mail buoy watch with instructions to call the bridge and report to the skipper when it was spotted.

Channel fever shots – a new sailor might be sent to the sickbay for these.

Jimmy legs, the ship’s master-at-arms, was responsible for weapons training and maintenance. (Author’s Collection)

Reviews for SNAFU Situation Normal All F***ed Up

[libstaff2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 StarsA comprehensive collection of slang terms used during WWII. There's a section for different branches of the U.S. military (except the U.S. Army, which is featured in FUBAR), the British services, and even a German section. Very enjoyable and put together well. Recommended for history readers, especially ones interested in military history.Net Galley Feedback