Marine Slang and Phrases
The U.S. Military is rich in tradition and the Marine Corps is certainly no different. In fact, the Corps probably has the most diverse set of slang and phrases that only a Marine will understand. Here are just a few of those words and phrases.
Head – Not truly a Marine Corps thing, it is a naval term for the bathroom on a ship. This is because the toilet was often placed at the bow or head of the ship. Other services call it a latrine or toilet.
Barracks Rat – Again, not just a Marine Corps saying, most of the U.S. Military uses this term to describe those who choose not to leave the barracks during downtimes or when liberty has been called.
Fart Sack – The Corps uses this term and so does the Army. The Marines have a piece of gear called the fart sack. The bottom sheet of your rack (bed) or a mattress case, is referred to as a fart sack. Often in the field, the sleeping bag, or the stuff sack that the sleeping bag goes in is called a fart sack.
Fruit Salad – I have heard this term used in my other branches, but most often in the Marine Corps. It describes the medals and/or ribbons, which are on someone’s uniform. Usually, if they have many medals/ribbons, then they have a big fruit salad.
Whale Shit – This is one that I never heard while in the Corps, but it describes a Marine that is the scum of the earth.
Woobie – Every Marine (and Soldier) had a Woobie and they loved their Woobie. It is a cloth (almost like a blanket – two layers of nylon with polyester filing inside) liner of the rain poncho. It served several purposes, one was to keep you warm in the rain, but it also kept your damn Pancho sticking to you so much. It was also used as a blanket to keep warm in the chilly weather.
Soup Sandwich – This is a person (can be a place as well) that is trashed or a big mess.
Fighting Hole – The Army calls them “Fox holes”, but in the Corps, they are called a fighting hole, which is a hole dug in the ground about 4-5 feet deep (chest deep), just tall enough so the Marine can stand in it and fight over the edge (parapet – this is the berm, made from the dirt from the hole.). You also are supposed to include a section that is deeper known as the grenade sump (water will collect there and not where you are standing. They are officially known as “Defensive fighting positions”.
Gedunk – This is simply a naval term referring to snack foods. It can also refer to the shop onboard that sells junk food.
Moonbeam – This is a term referring to a flashlight, sometimes also called a light stick.
