The folks over at Art of Manliness just posted a list of military slang used during the war. It’s not a full dictionary, by any stretch, but there are a lot of gems in there. Read the full post.

Just a snippet:

  • Ack-Ack. Anti-aircraft fire.
  • Admiral of the Swiss Navy. A self-important person.
  • Ammo. Ammunition.
  • All-Out. With full vigor, determination, or enthusiasm.
  • Armed to the Teeth. Well equipped with firearms; alert; fully prepared; awake to danger.
  • Armored Cow. Canned milk. Variations: Armored Heifer; Canned Cow.
  • Army Banjo. Shovel.
  • Army Chicken. Franks and beans.
  • Army Strawberries. Prunes.
  • Asparagus Stick. A submarine’s periscope.
  • Asthma. The company wit, so-called because he’s full of wheezes (jokes).
  • AWOL. Absence without official leave.
  • Awkward Squad. Men who require extra instruction at drill.
  • Axle Grease. Butter.
  • BAM. A “broad-assed Marine” (i.e., a female Marine).
  • Baby. Mustard; from its resemblance to that which comes out of the hind end of an infant.
  • B-ache/bellyache. To complain.
  • Bags of Mystery. Sausages.
  • Bail Out. Parachute jump from plane; by extension, to get out of a situation like a date.
  • Baptized by Fire. To have been under enemy fire for the first time; to have received one’s first wounds.