Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 ggr 02/21/84; site cord.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!cord!gwr From: gwr@cord.UUCP (GW Ryan) Newsgroups: net.nlang Subject: Soldier's names, origins Message-ID: <120@cord.UUCP> Date: Thu, 3-Jan-85 18:52:24 EST Article-I.D.: cord.120 Posted: Thu Jan 3 18:52:24 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 4-Jan-85 05:01:37 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Piscataway Lines: 27 Thanks to those who sent me responses. The answers to the origins of soldiers names (Jerry for germans, etc.), provided by Gordon, are from "I Hear America Talking," Stuart Berg Flexner (Touch Stone Books, 1979) German soldiers have been known as Jerry since WWI. The term is from british slang for "chamber pot," maybe because the German helmets looked like chamber pots. The British Tommy has been around since the 1800's. Tommy is Tommy Atkins, the British equivalent of the American "John Doe". GI Joe is from an American comic strip. Charlie may come from Vietnam (where the VC were "Victor Charlie"). My source (Gordon, that is), believes it may be a generic reference to "Communist". Forwarding an interesting question: obviously "Jerry and Charlie" are the British/American names for the enemies of Tommy and Joe. What would a German soldier refer to Tommy as? or to himself as? ...anyway, thanks for your responses! jerry ryan cord!gwr