British military slang or phrases you need to know 3. 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. Words with specific british english meanings that have different meanings in american andor additional meanings common to both languages e. And todaypost is about where it all started british slang. Sep 28, 2017 british army top slang words my gear camera. British military slang or phrases you need to know forces network. The brits are as fond of slang some dating back centuries as the rest of the world. A monster online dictionary of the rich colourful language we call slang. When such words are herein used or referenced, they are marked with the flag dm different meaning. British colonial military terms and soldier slang note. Jan 22, 2020 the term half screw is british army slang used to describe someone holding the rank of lance corporal. This results from the need for expedient and clear communication.
Here are some examples of american and british military slang that date to the period of the american revolution. 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. People discussed language, collected slang, and argued about the origins of words and phrases. 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. Many british military slang words had an indian origin and spread from there throughout the world. Bone is a favourite army term for something pointless. Remf rear echelon mother fxxker nfi not fxxking interested sparky reme rickshaw cabs and taxi rct royal corps. Glossary of british military slang and expressions. 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. These are some words that people around me use frequently, i use them too but god forbid my parents ever hear me say them. 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. 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 army slang for the falkland islands civilians during the. This is bone this is a common army phrase that refers to something. A short essay giving an outline of the parameters of this dictionary and brief information on slang can be. Army military abbreviations acronyms slang words sussex armed. Dictionary of english slang and colloquialisms of the uk. Based on a badly dressed, mentally retarded character in the soap opera crossroads. The term half screw is british army slang used to describe someone holding the rank of lance corporal. British military slang or phrases you need to know 2. 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.
Yet while the color changes, the subjects that come in for the slangtreatment are fairly timeless. A nostalgic term used by kids in reference to desserts like sticky toffee pudding and custard. Some are hilarious, some are rude and some are interesting. How the war in afghanistan shaped the british armys slang. 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. The indian word dobi meaning washing or laundry has been used ever since the british military were stationed there. An operation where things have gone disastrously wrong.
List of army and military abbreviations and slang words and phrases with their meanings. 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. British slang is a fountain of beautiful words that we dont normally use in america. 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. The british army, like most armies around the world, have their own language which is often incomprehensible to many a civilian. Doolally a person who is insane, crazy british army slang, dating from the british raj in india. Military alphabet is often used by service men and women as a form of slang or euphemism. 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. 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. 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 book is the true account of a us isa covert paramilitary operation, dubbed. Army military abbreviations acronyms slang words list of army and military abbreviations and slang words and phrases with their meanings.
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. Egg banjo a fried egg sandwich, so called because when it is. Top 100 most beautiful british slang words and phrases. Glossary of british terms not widely used in the united. 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. Oftentimes, its not so much the word itself thats awesome but the usage of it so. Just knowing english isnt enoughyou have to understand the slang. A brick short of a load same as a sandwich short of a picnic, i. Army lingo is littered with opaque references photo.
Stag duty teenyweeny airways the army air corps sky pilot the padre hes got his head in the clouds talking to his boss. This is a list of established military terms which have been in use for at least 50 years. Military slang is a set of colloquial terms which are unique to or which originated. British term for cylinderdischarged gas, used in communications to try to keep the use of it a secret. Another british slang for this activity is wag off, which means to waste time while at work. Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speakers language. British army slang for the falkland islands civilians during the falklands war and locals around bases in the west country. Apparently derived from an old music hall song called archibald, certainly not. 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 british army, like most armies around the world, have their own.
Bohica bend over, here it comes again is the title of a bestselling 1987 book by scott t. If you are unable to immediately find the term you are looking for, try the slang search. Jul 23, 2014 t he first world war was a surprisingly fertile period for the english language. 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 anthology is filled with slang words and terms of the kind dictionary scribe samuel. 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. Brush up on the weird and wacky words that make up british slang. Army slang is a subdivision of slang, indeed it is a particularly fine example which is almost incomprehensible to civvies. Heres our list of our top 100 favorite british slang words and phrases. Many british military slang words had their origin in india and spread from there throughout the empire. Military slang of the revolutionary war era history is fun. 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.
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