It's off topic but it is often joked that the British have a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals but only a National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ! The Navy can be as rude as they like about the Land Forces, while the army are ashore enjoying "Wine, women and song" they are at sea making do with "Rum, bum and concertina"
maybe been culled. Slip, if a Squaddie is a soldier and a Matelot is a Sailor, then a pongo is.... According to somebody serving in 'The Andrew' a pongo is a soldier, " Where the army goes the pong goes" Pongo is sailors slang for a Royal Marine or a soldier in general but specifically for a RM. Navy slang for a RM is 'Boot neck'
Jeff, To see how a British Regiment changed over the years have a look at the History of "Pontius Pilate's Bodyguard", ie The Royal Scots. The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) [UK] You might like to read this page too. FAQ: Oldest Regiment in the British Army
To get back to the name calling, people like Croonaert who was a "RASHer" (or Regular Army Shit Head) called peole like me a "STAB", or Stupid T.A. Bastard. (TA being the Territorial Army, part-timers.)
And Kitty mentioned Brylcreem Boys without explanation. Any guesses on that one Slip? RAF pilots or Americans in the RAF? Seems like I heard or read something about in the past.
A Matelot evolved into a crude combination of John Dillinger, Errol Flynn, Beau Brummel and Valentino Looking at what he is made from above, an Aussie sailor is a 3/4 American (Dillinger, Flynn and Valentino)? I suspect goes over like a turd in a punch-bowl. Typo there I reckon Slip. Errol Flynn was a Tasmanian! Probably means I'm related to him...
Well so he was, ya learn something new everyday. Thanks for the correction. While I was at it, I looked up Rudolph Valentino, he was an Italian. I am positive that John Dillinger was American, the only known criminal in the bunch. So, an Australian sailor is as much a mutt as I am, I guess? He's part American gangster, part swashbuckling Tasmanian movie star, part Italian ladies' man, and part foppish English dandy? You've got me even more confused.:p
In Vietnam we used to call people in the rear REMF or Rear Echelon Mother F....er's That is still in use with the British forces today
Another name for the RAF Crab, crabfat - A member of the Royal Air Force. From the light blue color of the uniform, which is the same as that of the grease (known as ‘crabfat’) used on gun breeches, etc., in the RN. Accounts vary, but apparently the grease was called ‘crabfat’ because it resembled in color the ointment used to treat sailors for ‘crabs’ (pediculosis pubis, genital lice), and of which fat was a major constituent. Naval Terminology, Jargon and Slang FAQ
We had a thread about this a while ago, I'm b*ggered if I can find it. Are you still beggared Owen ? Was it this one ? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/barracks/4097-regimental-nicknames.html?highlight=regimental+nicknames
Are you still beggared Owen ? Was it this one ? http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/barracks/4097-regimental-nicknames.html?highlight=regimental+nicknames No Rich, I was on about the "Why no Royal Army?" thread.
We had a thread about this a while ago, I'm b*ggered if I can find it. May have doubled up but here it is: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/barracks/6900-why-no-royal-army.html?highlight=royal+army
