World War II created a brotherhood, and a language all its own. Men from a wide variety of backgrounds were thrown together in close-knit, often boring, frequently dangerous situations, and slang that came from those experiences tied them together and cemented their brotherhood.
WW2 slang helped create an “us” vs. “them” mentality, where them is not only the enemy, but the “Brass” and folks back home who can’t fully understand the world of the fighting man.
WW2 GI SLANG
There are currently 26 names in this directory beginning with the letter C.
Cab happy’Nuts’ about driving.
Carrier pigeonServiceman acting as officer’s messenger.
Cast the Last Anchor.To die.
Cast-Iron Bathtub.Battleship.
Chair-Borne Infantry.Desk workers.
Check Out.To be killed; to die.
Chicken Shit.The G.I.'s name for service regulations and the seemingly endless make-work chores. Sometimes abbreviated as C.S.
Chow Hound. Men who always wind up at the head of the mess line.
Civvies.Civilian clothing.
Coffee Cooler.One who seeks easy jobs; a loafer.
Collision Mats. Pancakes or waffles.
Completely Cheesed. Bored to an extreme.
Cooking With Gas. Having become wise to something.
Cool as a Cucumber. Alert and aware; self-possessed; calm.
Cool Hand.One who is cool as a cucumber.
Corner Turner.A deserter.
Cornplaster commandoInfantryman.
Cracked Egg.A silly or stupid person.
Crumb Up.To get a haircut; shoeshine; freshly pressed shirt; etc.; in preparation for an inspection.
Cupid's Itch.Any venereal disease.
WW2 Slang Sources:
“Glossary of Army Slang,” American Speech, Vol. 16, No. 3 (Oct., 1941).
“G.I. Lingo,” American Speech, Vol. 20. No. 2 (Apr. 1945)
War Slang: American Fighting Words and Phrases Since the Civil War By Paul Dickson
FUBAR: Soldier Slang of WWII By Gordon L. Rottman
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