Rhymes of the Rookies: Sunny Side of Soldier ServiceChristian, W. E.
History
Rhymes of the Rookies: Sunny Side of Soldier Service
Christian, W. E.
Soldiers -- Poetry; Spanish-American War, 1898 -- Poetry; World War, 1914-1918 -- Poetry
Coffee Cooler--one who seeks easy details away from troops; one who is
always looking for an easy job.
Cold-feet--fear, lack of courage (to have cold feet is to be afraid, to
lack courage).
Commissaries--groceries.
Crawl--to admonish.
Dog-robber--name by which the enlisted men call a soldier who works for
an officer. (An offensive term, the use of which generally results in
trouble.)
Dough-boy--infantryman.
Dough-puncher--the baker.
Down the Pole--to drink, after having stopped.
Duff--any sweet edible.
Fatigue--extra work.
File--a number on the lineal list.
Fogy--ten percent increase in pay for each five years' service.
Found--to be found deficient or wanting in anything, especially an
examination.
French leave--unauthorized absence. Absent on French leave--absent
without authority.
Goat--junior officer in post, regiment, etc.
Goaty--awkward, ignorant.
Guard House Lawyer--a soldier with a smattering knowledge of
regulations and military law; quite loquacious and liberal with advice
and counsel to men in the Guard House or other trouble.
Hand-Shaker--a soldier who tries to win the favor of first sergeant or
troop commander.
Hardtack--hardbread, biscuits.
Hash Mark--enlistment or service stripe, worn on sleeve.
Hike--a march; to hike; to march.
Hitch--a term for enlistment period.
Hive--to discover, to catch.
Hobo--the provost guard.
Holy Joe--the chaplain.
Hop--a dance.
How--form of salutation in drinking, meaning "Here's to your health,"
"My regards," etc.
I. C.--condemned by an inspector.
Jaw-bone--credit (to get things on "jawbone," is to buy on credit).
Jump--to admonish.
K. O.--the commanding officer.
Major--name by which the sergeant-major is usually called by the
enlisted men.
Mill--Guard-house.
Mule-skinner--a teamster.
Non-Com--non-commissioned officer.
O. D.--the officer of the day.
Officers Line, or Officers Row--the row of houses where the officers
and their families live.
Old Issue--an old soldier.
Old File--an old officer.
Old Man--the company commander.
On Official Terms--not to be on speaking terms except officially.
On the Carpet--called before the commanding officer for admonition.
Openers--cathartic pills.
Orderly Buckle--a soldier when going on guard who strives by extra
neatness of appearance to be designated as orderly for the commanding
officer.
Orderly Room--company office.
Outfit--one's organization in the army.
Over-the-Hill--to desert.
P.--Prisoner.
Pills--the hospital steward.
Punk--light bread.
Q. M.--the quartermaster.
Q. M. D.--quartermaster's department.
Ranked-out--to be compelled to vacate by a senior, as "to be ranked out
of quarters."
Red-tape--official formality; that is, the close or excessive
observance of forms and routine in the transaction of business.
Regimental Monkey--the drum major.
Re-up--to re-enlist at once.
Rookie--a new recruit.
Sand-rat--an officer or soldier on duty in the rifle pit at target
practice.
Saw-bone--the doctor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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