Rhymes of the Rookies Part 12

Belly-ache--to complain.

Black strap--liquid coffee.

Blind--sentenced by court-martial to forfeiture of pay without confinement.

Bob-Tail--a dishonorable discharge, or a discharge without honor; to be "bobtailed"--to be discharged or to be given a discharge without honor.

Bone--to study; to try; to cultivate.

Bone bootlick on--to cultivate the favor of.

Boots and Saddles--trumpet call.

Bootlick--to flatter.

Brig--guard-house.

Bow-legs--cavalrymen.

Buck-private--a term sometimes used in referring to a private.

Bucking for Orderly--giving clothing and accoutrements extra cleaning so as to compete for orderly.

Bunkie--a soldier who shares the shelter of a comrade.

Bust--to reduce a non-commissioned officer to the grade of a private.

Butcher--the company barber.

Canned Horse--canned beef.

Chief--name by which the chief musician of the band is usually called by the enlisted men.

Cit--a civilian.

Cits--civilian clothes.

C. O.--commanding officer.

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).