Enemy nicknames

[venture]

Terry, terry taliban = Taliban
Gerry, Fritz = German during WW2
Ivan = russian during WW2, cold war

Anyone can think of more?

[Migs]

sand ni**er

[Bro Jangles]

Huns- germans- WW1

[venture]

Black and tans - british during the Ireland conflict

[Bro Jangles]

Charlie - Viet Cong - Vietnam

[Socrates187]

These may err on the racist side to some --
Gooks - Koreans
Nips - Japanese
Japs - Japanese
Tommy - British
Johnny Reb - Confederate
Billy Yank - Union
Boche - German
Hein/Heinrich - German
Kraut - German
Teufelhunden - Marines

[Creampuff]

Tojo - Japanese

[AroundTheCorner]

edit: upps... double post

[AroundTheCorner]

Reds - Soviets (WW2)

[goat89]

Macs - German.

[venture]

what about the falklands conflict?

Russias enemys? Bandits?

[OrangeWolf]

khaki - British soldier Boer Wars
rooinek - British soldier Boer wars (lit. red neck)

[Breakfast in Vegas]

Charlie - Viet Cong - VietnamVietnamese:
Gooks
Zipperheads
Slopes

Americans (to Germans) : Amis
British (to Germans) : Tommies
Russians (to Germans) : Ivan

Somalis (to Americans) : Skinnies

[Bro Jangles]

US - British- Septics

[Breakfast in Vegas]

US - British- SepticsEnemy nicknames?

Haven't been enemies since 1815 IIRC... :)

[tercio67]

MOF (Mensch Ohne Freunde) = Dutch term for Germans in WWII

[JJHH]

khaki - British soldier Boer Wars
rooinek - British soldier Boer wars (lit. red neck)

Haha.. British hillbilly Rednecks..

[tercio67]

Plopper (derived from 'Pelopor') = Dutch term for Indonesian insurgent after WWII

[the_penguin]

These may err on the racist side to some --
Gooks - Koreans
Nips - Japanese
Japs - Japanese
Tommy - British
Johnny Reb - Confederate
Billy Yank - Union
Boche - German
Hein/Heinrich - German
Kraut - German
Teufelhunden - Marines

Hasnt the "teufelhunden" nickname been debunk was more or less wishfull thinking, dreamed up by some American WW1 war corespondent?.

[AroundTheCorner]

Hasnt the "teufelhunden" nickname been debunk was more or less wishfull thinking, dreamed up by some American WW1 war corespondent?.

Could be. Since "Teufelshunde" would be the correct version, it's not really belivable that the Germans ever called the Marines
"Teufel Hunden".

[JCR]

Yes, but it was never used by the germans. Its used by the Marines themselves.
Also "Teufelshunde" is gramatically correct, but is not a common german word, and I've read enough WW1 era literature to get a feel for WW1 soldier's language and the language of imperial germany.
"Teufelskerle" means really daring guys, but you don't combine that with dogs.

Seriously I doubt anyone bothered with the fact wether the amis facing them were Army or Marines, not to mention that german forces were too busy retreating and making revolutions at the time the Jarheads finally arrived...
Just like nobody on the german side bothered to tell apart british, canadian or australian troops, they were all "tommies" to us ;)

In WW2, for some reason the enemy was often singular for the germans:
"Der Russe", "Der Tommy" or so. (The russian, the tommy), not plural.

But by far the worst off are the swedes. Back from the 30 years war. They were always called Schweden, but the adjective "swedish" usually means something brutal or disgusting:
Swedish courtains are prison bars, swedish drink is forcing somebody to drink piss...

[sepia]

PhoKhoKho-Thai Communist Party (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=162700)(Thai military call)
Pathet Lao-Laos Cummunist before Laos is Cummunist
Khmer Rouge-Cambodia Cummunist (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=1665046)(chicom wing)
Công Binh,Sapper,Duccong,Sapper Duccong-Combat engineer North Vietnam or Vietcong(Thai military call Duccong)
NVA-North Vietnam Army
Bodoi-Communist Vietnam Infantry(North Vietnam and/or Socialist Republic of Vietnam)
Vietcong call US Marine Recon is Green Ghost.
ETC.

[Breakfast in Vegas]

Victor or Charlie or Victor Charlie or Sir Charles : all describing the Viet Cong/VC/Victor Charlie in army lingo

[digrar]

The Viet Cong called the SASR Ma Rung or phantoms of the jungle.

[Insane Tadpole]

Viet Cong called Kiwi soldiers in Vietnam "Grey ghost"

[Ngati Tumatauenga]

Indonesian military-supported East Timorese pro-integration militia = Arse monkeys.

[filochard]

for french:

Germans:
boche, chleuh, fritz, frisés, vert de gris (grey-green)

English:
Godons (there last word is always "my God"). The English propaganda pretended it was "Goddam" for its troops. It's a old almost forgotten word.
There is also "Rosbif" but I think it's more recent so they weren't enemy animore.

[Connaught Ranger]

Black and tans - british during the Ireland conflict

The "Black & Tans" was a name given to a specific para-military British unit
on service in Ireland due to their uniforms, it was not specifically a nickname given to all British Forces in Ireland.

[Roy Batty]

Skinnies- Somalies

Babboos - Afghans

Smufties - Afghans

[retrobob]

The "Black & Tans" was a name given to a specific para-military British unit
on service in Ireland due to their uniforms, it was not specifically a nickname given to all British Forces in Ireland.
Thanks mate, you beat me to it.'Tan' from the ex Army kahki tunics and TOS's, 'black' from the dark green Royal Irish Constabulary trousers,sometimes it was the other way 'round.Black and Tans was also the name of a pack of wolfhounds.

[nsrfn]

Rhodesian bush war.
Rhodesian army names for terrorists/insurgents.
Terrs.
CTs or Charlie Tangoes (CT = communist terrorist)
Floppies.

Probably more but I can't think of any just now.

[peter.pl]

Szuszwol = Bad guy in Iraq, and now in Afghanistan
And here you got movie from Iraq. US and Polish soldiers are learning children how to say "Jebać szuszwoli" what means "F*ck szuszwols (bad guys)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mQglhDh7qM
And szuszwol in Polish means someone dirty.

[Ivan le Fou]

WW2

Germans = schleu, boches, fritzs, frisés, vert de gris (because of the colour of their uniforms).

[Ivan le Fou]

for french:

Germans:
boche, chleuh, fritz, frisés, vert de gris (grey-green)

English:
Godons (there last word is always "my God"). The English propaganda pretended it was "Goddam" for its troops. It's a old almost forgotten word.
There is also "Rosbif" but I think it's more recent so they weren't enemy animore.


Well, I have learned why the English were called "rosbifs".
And in fact it is quiet the same reason why we were called "froggies".

At the time, before the French Revolution, the English were known to have the best meat. When the French had the way of life we know (wigs, sockings, powdered faces, etc...) the English had a more "simple" one. They had a very good alimentation. And one of the best dish the had was "roasted beef".

[IDF_TANKER]

Surprisingly enough, I don't think we have any... The only one I can think of is "dirty" for a terrorist, but that's rather part of a standard radio lingo, than a nickname.

[Ivan le Fou]

Surprisingly enough, I don't think we have any... The only one I can think of is "dirty" for a terrorist, but that's rather part of a standard radio lingo, than a nickname.


Not even "goy"? :)

[tanks_alot]

Surprisingly enough, I don't think we have any... The only one I can think of is "dirty" for a terrorist, but that's rather part of a standard radio lingo, than a nickname.

Well, there is Hezballonim, but it's not very creative.

Also Shopim, but it's just short for shutrim palstinaim - Palestinian police.

[IDF_TANKER]

Not even "goy"? :)

LOL, no, not really, not to mention that the word is rarely used in general, and doesn't have a negative connotation. The only derogative term in Israel in general for Arabs is "Arabush", which from purely semantic point of view is meaningless (and has rather a condescending connotation, than hatred). As anti-PC it's being in Israel in general, in IDF it is simply taboo(and in fact, I don't believe I ever heard once it's being used), given the fact that Arabs serve and fight shoulder to shoulder with Jews, so perhaps it's not that surprising...

[IDF_TANKER]

Well, there is Hezballonim, but it's not very creative.

Also Shopim, but it's just short for shutrim palstinaim - Palestinian police.

Yeah, but that's rather a linguistic convenience, you know instead of saying a "Hezbollah fighter" every time.

[LineDoggie]

Crapauds= (French,literally:Toad) Used to describe the French
Also Johnny Crapaud, the Frogs

Wogs= (British), used to describe Africans, "Remember, the Wogs begin at Calais"-Sgt. of the BEF 1914 to his section.

Fuzzy Wuzzy= (British), used to describe the Mahdi's Soldiers in the Sudan
Interestingly enough, Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels was used as a mark of affection for Papuans during WWII for helping wounded Australians. No known live wounded Australian was ever abondoned by the Papuans charged with evacuating them.

[wolf9848]

Haj/ Haji= Iraqi Insurgents

[zg18]

From WWII Yugoslavia

Germans - Shvabe (Schwaben)

Italians - Zhabari (froggies)

Russians - Crvenoarmejci (Crvena Armija - Red army)

partisans - bandits

Chetniks - Chede

Ustashe - Ujaci (Uncles)

marshal Tito - forest marshal etc.

[BafuD]

Russians(to finnish)= ryssät, still using that name of russians, allways.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Nicknames Americans have given the enemy throughout history:

American Revolution and War of 1812:
(British) - Redcoats, Lobsterbacks.
(Loyalist Americans) - Tories.
(Patriot Americans) - Yankee doodle (By the British)

Civil War:
Johnny Reb (southerners)
Billy Yank, Yankees, Men In Blue (northerners)
Buffaloes (white southerners who fought for the north)

Indian Wars:
Redmen, redskins (Native Americans)
Buffalo Soldiers (name given to black US Army soldiers by the Indians)

World War 1:
Huns (Germans)

World War 2:
Krauts (Germans)
Japs, Nips (Japanese)

The more recent ones (Charlie, Gooks, Chinamen, Skinnies, Hajjis, etc) have already been mentioned.

[Albatross]

bitch-ex girlfriend

[LaoSexMachine]

bitch-ex girlfriend


Also Soul sucking whore.

[beNder]

Vietnamese = pie face, Buddha head

[Mat_fr]

for french:

Germans:
boche, chleuh, fritz, frisés, vert de gris (grey-green)


you forgot "fridolins". p-)

[Rugal09]

heard these names I have no idea how legit some are.

French - Fairies/Frogs/Fluff Bunnies
Germans - Huns/Krauts/Weiners/Bosche/Otto
UK - Tommies/Brits/Scones/Tea totters/Chavs/Biggles
Russians - Red/Commies/Bears/Furries/Vodkas/Boris/Yakovs
Chinese - Chinks/Commies/Chicoms/Mr.Chang/Char-mins/Kinks
Japanese - Japs/Nips/Tojos/Otakus/Sushis/J-pops
Indians - Injuns, Red Skins, Brownies, Hindus, Twigs, Curries, turbanheads
Pakistanese - Pukes, Pickles, Ali, Mohammed, Beardy, RAPEs, Binky, Clowns
USA - Rambo, Amerikee, Jerkies, Saps, John Wayne, Yankees, Devils, Shaitans, Blondies

[dlat83]

Raghad/Rags- Mideast terr. Beirut (80's)

[therifleman]

Troubles in Ireland:
Prods- Protestant Loyalists
Provos- Provisional Irish Republican Army members

[DnA]

Haj/ Haji= Iraqi Insurgents


Also used to for Taliban/Al Qaeda in Afghanistan

[Dan2004]

Also Soul sucking whore.

The clap-monster...

[Creampuff]

American for a turn coat VC - Kit Carson

US/OZ/NZ for Vietnamese - Dink

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

Interesting thread guys.

It seems to me that the nicknames given by the Brits are more phonetically based (Jerrys, Terry Taliban, Provos, etc), while the American nicknames are mostly based on ethnic/racial humor (Krauts, Gooks, Hajjis, etc).

[Pandemonium]

In Belgium:
Germans: Moffen, Hunnen, Fritsen,
Japanese: Jappen, Spleetogen,
English: Tommies
Americans: Yankees
Dutch: Keeskoppen (cheeseheads)
Russians: Rooien, Ivan
Italians: Spaghettis, Pinos
Collaborators: Zwarten

[Opening Batsman]

In Australia, Johnny Turk/Abdul = Turks in WW1, Nogs = Vietnamese.

[Ulytau]

Greeks : Palikaria ''Must be similar with Evzones as i know''
Foreigners in Crusader times : Frenk
in 18. 19. 20. Centuries enemies known as Gavur or Ecnebi which means foreigner.
Anzac : Johnnies or Anzac too :D
Russians : Moskof

pkk terrorists : Carcass

As i know We Turks known as

Wrath of God at crusader times,Attila also as i read Anzacs were calling Turks Coward Abdul before Battle of Gallipoli after this battle ''Johnny Turk'' cause both side meet with eachother and after dialouge start ceasefire times.

at Turkish War of Independence Nationalist Troops or Kemals Soldiers.

As armed terror&gang groups at Turkish War of Independence known as Enik ''Puppy'' from Turkish Guerilla Warfare troops

[Jam the man]

soviets (to Afghan muj) in the 79-89 conflict: Dukhi, Dushman
Afghan muj to Soviets: Shuravi

[Atlantic Friend]

you forgot "fridolins". p-)

And the "doryphores".

[Fat Lazy American]

Troubles in Ireland:
Prods- Protestant Loyalists
Provos- Provisional Irish Republican Army members

Also:
Huns-Protestants
Taigs-Catholics

And since someone mentioned Yanks and Rebs:

Border Ruffians - Pro-Slavery Guerrillas in Kansas
Jayhawkers - Free-State Guerrillas in Kansas (originally an epithet, adopted with pride)

[miguelencanarias]

Not exactly their enemy, but 18th Century Prussian regiments of the line called the lower-quality fortress garrisons 'Mauerscheiße', showing their respect and appreciation for their hard work...

[joemanu]

In Spain the French were (and sometimes still are) called "gabachos".

The same word is used in Mexico for the Americans, as a synonim of "gringo". I don't know what they called the French when they fought against emperor Maximillian.

[SHAM]

heard these names I have no idea how legit some are.

French - Fairies/Frogs/Fluff Bunnies
Germans - Huns/Krauts/Weiners/Bosche/Otto
UK - Tommies/Brits/Scones/Tea totters/Chavs/Biggles
Russians - Red/Commies/Bears/Furries/Vodkas/Boris/Yakovs
Chinese - Chinks/Commies/Chicoms/Mr.Chang/Char-mins/Kinks
Japanese - Japs/Nips/Tojos/Otakus/Sushis/J-pops
Indians - Injuns, Red Skins, Brownies, Hindus, Twigs, Curries, turbanheads
Pakistanese - Pukes, Pickles, Ali, Mohammed, Beardy, RAPEs, Binky, Clowns
USA - Rambo, Amerikee, Jerkies, Saps, John Wayne, Yankees, Devils, Shaitans, Blondies

Sounds more like your personal list of slang names for different nationalities.
Or perhaps you could enlighten us as to what enemies of the Brits call them "Chav's" or what enemy of Pakistan calls them "Beardy"?

[dudski]

Im NOT racist
Hajjis-iraqis
Sand Ni**gers-Arabs
Dune Rats-arabs

[Rugal09]

Sounds more like your personal list of slang names for different nationalities.
Or perhaps you could enlighten us as to what enemies of the Brits call them "Chav's" or what enemy of Pakistan calls them "Beardy"?

Picked it up in all sorts of media and other defense/military forums plus hearing on the streets. Nicknames come from everywhere but obviously not everyhting is commonly used.

[SHAM]

Picked it up in all sorts of media and other defense/military forums plus hearing on the streets. Nicknames come from everywhere but obviously not everyhting is commonly used.

Good man, so..just elaborate on a couple for us then.
What "Enemy" of the Brit's calls them "Chav's", and what "Enemy" of the Pakistani's calls them "Beardy"..as you have listed.

[Rugal09]

Good man, so..just elaborate on a couple for us then.
What "Enemy" of the Brit's calls them "Chav's", and what "Enemy" of the Pakistani's calls them "Beardy"..as you have listed.

why assume enemies? Even buddies/allies have nicknames for each other.
Chavs I hear a lot from bodybuilding.com forums as a nickname for Brits (I guess its meant as both friendly and derogatory term). Beardy I heard from Chinese friends who compare Pakistani soldiers to a kung fu actor Leung Kar Yan who is affectionately called "Beardy" because of his ....beard.

[SHAM]

why assume enemies? Even buddies/allies have nicknames for each other.
Chavs I hear a lot from bodybuilding.com forums as a nickname for Brits (I guess its meant as both friendly and derogatory term). Beardy I heard from Chinese friends who compare Pakistani soldiers to a kung fu actor Leung Kar Yan who is affectionately called "Beardy" because of his ....beard.

Perhaps you might want to read the title of this thread.

[digrar]

US/OZ/NZ for Vietnamese - Dink

Not so much for us.


In Australia, Johnny Turk/Abdul = Turks in WW1, Nogs = Vietnamese.

This ^, nog was also elongated to Nigel the nog.

[Creampuff]

German name for Sherman tank - Tommie cooker, Ronson.

[I'mOnlyHalfPolish]

Not exactly their enemy, but 18th Century Prussian regiments of the line called the lower-quality fortress garrisons 'Mauerscheiße', showing their respect and appreciation for their hard work...

Wallsh*t? Or is my German getting rusty...?

[ThatHistoryDude]

I am almost certain one of my buddies said they called the Iraqis and Afghanis Derka-Derkas (From Team America World Police) in lieu of Hajis as that was no longer allowed.

Maybe one of our other vets could confirm this?

[Ritual]

I've heard "Zipper head", this a Korean war thing?

[Engine Mech]

And how many of you know the origin of the british "Tommy". Look up Tommy Atkins.

[lightfire]

Suskiukai ("Little scabies"/Bums) - by LITSOF on Taliban
Men with Blue eyes - Taliban on LITSOF

[JCR]

Suskiukai ("Little scabies"/Bums) - by LITSOF on Taliban
Men with Blue eyes - Taliban on LITSOF

I doubt that, blue eyes are nothing special in Afghanistan, a large percentage of the Pashtuns are blue eyed.

[Winger]

An enemy to many....Yankee. :)

Much argument on the origin but I believe in this one:

Most linguists look to Dutch sources, noting there was a great deal of interaction between the Dutch in New Netherland (New York) and the Yankees of New England. The Dutch first names "Jan" and "Kees." "Jan" and "Kees" were and still are common. In many instances both names (Jan-Kees) are used as a single first name. The word "Yankee" is a variation that would refer to English settlers moving into previously Dutch areas.[5]
Michael Quinion and Patrick Hanks argue[6] that the term refers to the Dutch nickname and surname Janneke (from "Jan" and the diminutive "-eke", meaning "Little John" or Johnny in Dutch), anglicized to Yankee (the "J" is ****ounced "Y" in Dutch) and "used as a nickname for a Dutch-speaking American in colonial times". By extension, the term grew to include non-Dutch colonists as well.

Further...

When the British took over New Amsterdam, renaming it New York, there was a bit of animosity between the Dutch and the British settlers. Hence, in English we have words like dutch uncle, dutch courage and dutch treat all starting as put-downs of the Dutch. Cheese was a staple of the Dutch diet, and the British used to put the Dutch down saying, "Look it's John Cheese". The Dutch used to throw this insult back at the British - John = Jahn, Cheese = Kees. Hence "Jahnkees" or Yankees was born.

[SBL]

Enemy nicknames?

Haven't been enemies since 1815 IIRC... :)
Yankee Doodle.

[Skutatos]

These may err on the racist side to some --
Gooks - Koreans
Nips - Japanese
Japs - Japanese
Tommy - British
Johnny Reb - Confederate
Billy Yank - Union
Boche - German
Hein/Heinrich - German
Kraut - German
Teufelhunden - Marines

Not used during the war, only afterwards.

They were known as Yanks, Yankees, Blue-bellies, Lincolnites(by southern irish), federalists and even johnny yank.

Johnny reb was also commonly known as a "grayback" or as "butternuts".

[miguelencanarias]

Wallsh*t? Or is my German getting rusty...?Exactly. Or 'The shyte on the walls'. Hence my ironic remark about it being a show of appreciation for troops specialized in garrison duty.

[filochard]

you forgot "fridolins". p-)

oops. I think the list is complete now :)

As for the Algerian we have "Fellouze" (for fellagha) and all the racist nicknames I don't know if I can mention them here.
All in all the Germans and the Algerian are well served. Thinking of it I'm surprised there isn't more against the English. May be they were forgotten since we are allied since 1905.

[IronFinn]

I recall russians called finns tšuhna i.e. pigduring WW2 and after that. Someone correct me if I´m wrong.

[I'mOnlyHalfPolish]

Exactly. Or 'The shyte on the walls'. Hence my ironic remark about it being a show of appreciation for troops specialized in garrison duty.

Yeah I caught the sarcasm; just practicing das (f**king articles) Deutsch

[ilmakas]

I recall russians called finns tšuhna i.e. pigduring WW2 and after that. Someone correct me if I´m wrong.

chuhna is a term for all baltic-finns. comes from the word chud i think.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chud

[James]

Huns- germans- WW1

Also Boche.
Americans have been called Yanks and Amis.
I've known Canadians to refer to the Taliban and other Afghan ACM as Timmy. When I'm there I generally just call them the bad guys.

Many of these are now considered racist, but were in common use for many years. My apologies, but my intent is not to offend:
Japs (Japanese), Chinks (Chinese), Gook (Koreans), Slope/Zipperhead/Gomer (East Asians in General)
Sand Ni**er/Camel Jockey/Towel Head/Rag Head (Arabs and Afghans) and (oddly to me) Hajji; in Muslim culture, Hajji is an honorific given to someone who's mad the pilgrimage to Mecca, yet somehow on the heels of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 it became a derogatory term for the locals when used by the Americans. It really hasn't caught on much in Afghanistan.


Black and tans - british during the Ireland conflict

I think that term referred to a specific unit, not the British Army as a whole.

[Wachmistrz]

in polish

Germans
- Szwab - from "Szwabia" (Schwabenland) - some german settlers in Poland in middle ages came from Schwaben
- Szkop - from russian "skopiec" (castrated)
- Adolfy - from AH
- Fryce - like in otjher languages from Fritz
- Helmuty
- Hitlerowcy - Hitler's people
- Prusaki, Prusak - prussians (now in polish Prusak=cockroach)

Russians
- Czerwoni - Reds
- kacapy - goat - in polish and ukrainian -
- Sowieci, Sowiety
- Bolszewicy - bolsheviks
- Ruscy/Ruskie, Ruski
- Kałmucy - Kalmuks-mongolian people - at the end of the WWII, during the "liberation" of Poland some soviet soldiers are conscripted from mongolians lived in CCCP
- Przyjaciele – "friends"
- Wielki Brat – Big Brother
- Czerwonoarmiści, Krasnoarmiejcy – from Krassnaja Armija (Red Army)
- Swołocz/Ruska swołocz - people roused disgust their behavior or appearance
- Iwany - from name Ivan

From XVI-XVII century wars

Osman Turks -
pohaniec - from poganin (pagan)
bisurmanski - mahometan, islamic

[Timmy!]

Not exactly "enemies" - never fought (oficially) against each other, but still - the nations from "competing" organisations. :)

Americans are often called as "Pendos" by Russians.
The word was created during war in Bosnia, where Russian peacekeepers were near American peacekeepers and often interacted with each other.
"Pendos" came from the word "independance/independant" - a slogan used very often by the Americans.

[INAT]

Ustase-Croats

Cetniks-Serbs ( I don't find Cetnik an isult personally


Balije -Muslims used by Serbs and Croats against follower of Allah

[ilmakas]

Not exactly "enemies" - never fought (oficially) against each other, but still - the nations from "competing" organisations. :)

Americans are often called as "Pendos" by Russians.
The word was created during war in Bosnia, where Russian peacekeepers were near American peacekeepers and often interacted with each other.
"Pendos" came from the word "independance/independant" - a slogan used very often by the Americans.

i think you mean pindos (пиндос)

[a.godumov]

Charshafi (Чаршафи) - in Bulgarian means "bed sheets" - for arabs
Mangali (Мангали) - gypsies - again for arabs

[sarhat]

"czech" - Chechen.

[Timmy!]

i think you mean pindos (пиндос)
I did mean this word, yes. The word was created not so long ago and there are different variations of how you spell it. :)

[Mastermind]

Only three I have not seen mentioned in this thread so far.

In WWII, American Soldiers were commonly called "G.I.s" by themselves, the folks back home and allies...not sure if the Enemy used it, although I have read Korean war stories where the enemy would shout, "G.I. - You die!"....probably because it rhymed and was actually rather catchy.

They were also called "Joe"...probably short for "G.I. Joe"...another affectionate nick name given by clever journalists.

The British were also referred to as "Limies", although I think this name was used mostly for the British sailors and was probably not considered overly affectionate. Truth be, it referrs to the British custom of mandating every sailor eat a lime a day in order to stave off scurvy on long sea voyages.

[Rakkasans]

WWII Marines addressed themselves universeally as "Mac"

The standard name for Confederate soldiers as well as most Southern civilians, at least by the Western Union troops was "Secesh"

During the American Civil War Wisconsin troops called the men in NY Regiments "Counter Jumpers"

[Mordoror]

German to Russian Marine Infantry : schwarzentot

Marines among themselves (or is it a way the Army calls them ?) : leathernecks

Allied pilots about the He 177 : flaming coffin or luftwaffe lighter

Japaneses or Vietnameses : face de citrons (lemon faces) or bridés (trsl ??)

[Macaca sylvanus]

One I've heard, not sure of its veracity, The Viet Cong called 101st Airborne men in Vietnam "Roosters" because of the Screaming Eagle Patch, Eagles are not indigenous to Vietnam and were unknown to the Vietnamese at this time, hence the confusion.

[ronnieraygun]

One I've heard, not sure of its veracity, The Viet Cong called 101st Airborne men in Vietnam "Roosters" because of the Screaming Eagle Patch, Eagles are not indigenous to Vietnam and were unknown to the Vietnamese at this time, hence the confusion.

Alice in Chains had a song about coming to snuff the rooster, supposedly about the singer's dad in Vietnam.

My family doctor growing up was Korean and claimed that his people were called "garlic eaters" by the Chinese. Don't know if that's common or not.

[Korath]

Szuszwol = Bad guy in Iraq, and now in Afghanistan
And here you got movie from Iraq. US and Polish soldiers are learning children how to say "Jebać szuszwoli" what means "F*ck szuszwols (bad guys)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mQglhDh7qM
And szuszwol in Polish means someone dirty.

Szuszwol were originally Lebanese in 1990s. I guess it was planted in Iraq since many soldiers (officers at least) of the initial contingent served in Lebanon before Iraq.

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

German pilots in WW2 called American escort fighters "Indians" while the American bomber crews called them "little friends."

[Korath]

Yeah, but that's rather a linguistic convenience, you know instead of saying a "Hezbollah fighter" every time.

Definitely. IDF is very creative in making all sorts of innovative Herbew abbreviations like baktab for Molotov coctail, batasheet for a patrol car. Btw, modern, civilian Hebrew makes extensive use of abbreviations, too. IDF,however, is very politically correct when it comes to calling names. I can't recall much more than "mehabel" (terrorist) commonly used to name an enemy. No Charlies, Krauts, Tommies, etc. As far as i remember, I heard "Arabush" with all kinds of racist connotations. Nothing military-specific. I also don't recall Palestinians using any specific names other than "Yahud" (Jews) or simply "jundee" (a soldier).

[Karaahmetoglu]

Rag Heads-Applies to Iraqi Insurgents and Taliban

I don't mean to racially insult anyone.

[Van Gogh]

the klan, skinheads, peckerwoods - the kkk/ neo nazis

as a black man my war's always been on american soil.

[goat89]

the klan, skinheads, peckerwoods - the kkk/ neo nazis

as a black man my war's always been on american soil.
Sweet, I join your war. New names for me to use on these a-holes. :D

[Hutz]

The Quebecers call the Taliban crotté.

[SBL]

the klan, skinheads, peckerwoods - the kkk/ neo nazis

as a black man my war's always been on american soil.
Keep up the struggle, Dolamite.

[stick.up.kid]

The only thing one i can think of that hasnt been mentioned is "Devils in baggy pants" for US Army paratroopers during world war 2...more specifically from a diary taken from some German officer killed in Anzio when reffering to the 504th PIR

"American parachutists...devils in baggy pants...are less than 100 meters from my outpost line. I can't sleep at night; they pop up from nowhere and we never know when or how they will strike next. Seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere..."

[breki]

Keep up the struggle, Dolamite.

Lol. Superfly.

[Creampuff]

It was during operations in North Africa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_airborne_operations_in_North_Africa) that the maroon beret (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroon_beret) was first seen by German troops. Within months they had christened them Rote Teufel - Red Devils. However, this nickname was not a reference to the colour of their headgear but in fact due to the red mud that the soldiers were covered in after heavy rain.

Wikipedia.

[congofal]

what about the falklands conflict?

British Forces refered to the Argentine forces as "Argies"
Argentine Forces called the British "Pirates"

[Delta Niner]

how about REMFs Rear Echelon Mo Fu? :)

[Creampuff]

During the Battle of Monte Cassino the 1st Fallschirmjäger Division operated as ordinary infantry. When the Allies bombed the Monastery of Monte Cassino they inadvertently created an excellent fortress of rubble. This enabled the still-present Fallschirmjäger troops to hold out for months against repeated assaults and heavy bombardment. They were nicknamed "Green Devil's" by the Allied forces for their tenacious defense, though they were finally forced out of the position by British, Polish and French Moroccan forces.

[IDF_TANKER]

Definitely. IDF is very creative in making all sorts of innovative Herbew abbreviations like baktab for Molotov coctail, batasheet for a patrol car. Btw, modern, civilian Hebrew makes extensive use of abbreviations, too. IDF,however, is very politically correct when it comes to calling names. I can't recall much more than "mehabel" (terrorist) commonly used to name an enemy. No Charlies, Krauts, Tommies, etc. As far as i remember, I heard "Arabush" with all kinds of racist connotations. Nothing military-specific. I also don't recall Palestinians using any specific names other than "Yahud" (Jews) or simply "jundee" (a soldier).

Yeah, I guess, the whole conflict is too personal to invent some nicknames.

Speaking of "domestic rivalry", BTW. The only infantry nickname I heard is "tsnef" for paras, but again lacking any meaning. Tankers though had a few: Magach(M-60) tankers referred to Merkava tankers as "kussiot"(pussies). The Merkava guys called us chips(French fries). Speaking of enemy machines nicknames, the IDF nickname for Hind was "pney miflezet"(monster face).

[Bachelor]

Georgian and Russian conflict in Ossetia in 2008...
Russian military men nickname to the Georgian military men - "GRYZUNY"(Грызуны)... It's from "Gruziny"(Грузины)...
But have next values in Zoology as "rodents" (Rats, Mouse-like hamsters, Caviidaes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodent).


It's a real Ru militarys' argot not official... For example by radio: "I'm Korobochka (box) 123! Gryzuny directly before me! Get air strike! Over!"... "I'm Leshi! Ok! Two Gracha (Frogfoots) on the way!"....

[Bachelor]

Americans are often called as "Pendos" by Russians.
The word was created during war in Bosnia, where Russian peacekeepers were near American peacekeepers and often interacted with each other.
"Pendos" came from the word "independance/independant" - a slogan used very often by the Americans.


i think you mean pindos (пиндос)

Half of truth!
Many Russian don't know English and a difficult words as "independance/independant". I have difficulty in a ****unciation of this word in-de-pe-n-dan-ce. What about more many Russian who does not know English and that word?
But all Russian know and use a word "Pidaras"... In the Soviet propagation Americans have opened homo****** *** the First and Americans lived in all time.... After that some of Individuals of exSU have understanding of gays like Americans. In Russian slangy have identical value - "pidarasy", "pidary", "pindosy" .... We can see that word on scandal political forums when talk about "bad Americans". This word is used by the civil... Some of civil in abusive ecstasy only and in hatred.... For example at the forum of the Russian Air Force (http://www.airforce.ru/) you don't find this word at military men and ex'peacekeepers. As the military man I can tell that I did not hear this word in military officers' collective. I have seen this word only in a scandalous corner of the Internet...

Ps. In reality that not military nickname. That curse of some village people...

Officially in the Soviet Army the name for enemies "Blue forces".

[James]

In the USMC in the 90s tank and track crews sometimes referred to infantry as "crunchies".

[IDF_TANKER]

In our unit we liked to refer to infantry guys as "gha'aghuim" - road bumps. :)

[Timmy!]

But all Russian know and use a word "Pidaras"... In the Soviet propagation Americans have opened homo****** *** the First and Americans lived in all time.... After that some of Individuals of exSU have understanding of gays like Americans. In Russian slangy have identical value - "pidarasy", "pindosy" ...
I seriously doubt that is the case. It doesn't sound similar at all to me.

[Bachelor]

The Soviet Era... In Afghanistan. The Soviet military slang and soldiers' argot to Mojaheds ( مجاهد, muǧāhid, literally "struggler", "justice-fighter" or "freedom-fighter") , Dyshmans ( دشمن — dušman - enemy - враг) - "Dyh" (Дух) or "Dyhi" (Духи) (many).

The Chechen war... Russian military slang and soldiers' argot to the bandits - "Dyh"-"Dyhi" (more two) as in Afghanistan, because many Arabian mercenaries and "Cheh" (Чех)or "Chehi" (Чехи)(more two) of word "Chechen".

Ps. In Russian ****unciation as the "Czech" but to Czechia and Czechs any relation and anything general...

[trunk_munkey28]

In the USMC in the 90s tank and track crews sometimes referred to infantry as "crunchies".

Still do, in Canada.

FAGs = Fighting Age Guys, referred to suspicious or enemy in Afghan.

[GiladS]

I can't recall much more than "mehabel" (terrorist) commonly used to name an enemy.

The word 'mehebel' literally means 'saboteur' but over the years has come to also mean terrorist.

[GiladS]

Speaking of "domestic rivalry", BTW. The only infantry nickname I heard is "tsnef" for paras, but again lacking any meaning.

There are several theories regarding the origin of 'tznef' as a nickname for IDF paratroopers.

The main theory (or at least the one I liked the most) is that 'tznef' is related to the Hebrew word 'tznefa' (which means pellet).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellet_(ornithology)

[JCR]

Domestic nicknames aside, we can say for a fact that no army in the history of mankind gave its enemies flattering nicknames.
I once read that even the egyptians called the Hittites something like "girlie men" (because they had long hair) during the reign of Ramesses II.

[IDF_TANKER]

There are several theories regarding the origin of 'tznef' as a nickname for IDF paratroopers.

The main theory (or at least the one I liked the most) is that 'tznef' is related to the Hebrew word 'tznefa' (which means pellet).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellet_(ornithology)

LOL, must be a Golani invention...

[Insane Tadpole]

In our unit we liked to refer to infantry guys as "gha'aghuim" - road bumps. :)
Hahaha thats terrible! Love it p-)

[commanding]

Terry, terry taliban = Taliban
Gerry, Fritz = German during WW2
Ivan = russian during WW2, cold war

Anyone can think of more?

your post made me smile...the Fritz reference. one of my old boss, from when I was in college, was a WWII vet and a forward arty spotter. he was in the thick of it in Europe. won't tell all the grisly stories he told me...but two doors down from his office/shop, there was a combo jewelry store and clock store, run by a german man and his wife. My boss, in private referred to the man as Fritz..and i am very sure that wasn't his name. Old habits die hard.

[James]

Domestic nicknames aside, we can say for a fact that no army in the history of mankind gave its enemies flattering nicknames.

I don't know... During WWI, the Boche referred to kilt waring Scots as "Ladies from hell".

[Opening Batsman]

I don't know... During WWI, the Boche referred to kilt waring Scots as "Ladies from hell".

You find that flattering?p-)

[Breakfast in Vegas]

Some interservice rivalry nicknames:

Squids : USN
Zoomies: USAF
Jarheads: USMC
Legs: Anybody who wasn't Airborne...

[[WDW]Megaraptor]

I've read in a couple places that Iraqi troops call insurgents "Ali Baba."

[budgie]

Always gets me how our nams for the enemy border on derogatoy: gooks, dinks, zips, sandies, charlie, tans, A-rabs, huns and what-have-you. In contrast their purported names fo us: Grey Ghosts, the men with Green Faces, The kickass MoFo's of the Mekong Delta: it sounds like they contain some element of awestruck hero-worship. Anyone else smell a rat?

[GiladS]

LOL, must be a Golani invention...

Hmmm, seems too sophisticated for Golani (jk) p-)

[RSone]

In Belgium:
Germans: Moffen, Hunnen, Fritsen,
Japanese: Jappen, Spleetogen,
English: Tommies
Americans: Yankees
Dutch: Keeskoppen (cheeseheads)
Russians: Rooien, Ivan
Italians: Spaghettis, Pinos
Collaborators: Zwarten

Shouldn't that be Kaaskoppen? Kaaskoppen=Cheeseheads.

I never really knew that mof actually had a real meaning/ was an acronym. Funny.

[RSone]

Always gets me how our nams for the enemy border on derogatoy: gooks, dinks, zips, sandies, charlie, tans, A-rabs, huns and what-have-you. In contrast their purported names fo us: Grey Ghosts, the men with Green Faces, The kickass MoFo's of the Mekong Delta: it sounds like they contain some element of awestruck hero-worship. Anyone else smell a rat?

I think it has something to do with their more esoterical way of giving people/objects names. For example, insurgents feared the Dutch PzH200's so much they called them The Beasts of Tarin Kowt. The Dutch crew of one of the machines simply named it 'maximus'

[Jurinko]

SEALs were named by VC "green faces".

Green faces never sleep, never eat.

[INAT]

LOL, no, not really, not to mention that the word is rarely used in general, and doesn't have a negative connotation. The only derogative term in Israel in general for Arabs is "Arabush", which from purely semantic point of view is meaningless (and has rather a condescending connotation, than hatred). As anti-PC it's being in Israel in general, in IDF it is simply taboo(and in fact, I don't believe I ever heard once it's being used), given the fact that Arabs serve and fight shoulder to shoulder with Jews, so perhaps it's not that surprising...


What about "Kooshim" is that not a derogatory term?

[RoyB]

What about "Kooshim" is that not a derogatory term?
Well, yeah.
It basically means the N-word.
How would it come in handy in the military context, I have no idea.p-)

[Elemental666]

In our unit we liked to refer to infantry guys as "gha'aghuim" - road bumps. :)

http://i48.tinypic.com/25r34na.jpg

[goat89]

^Jesus f*cking christ!!! WTF have you been? I though you went offline for a few months!!!!

[Elemental666]

^Jesus f*cking christ!!! WTF have you been? I though you went offline for a few months!!!!

I'm still around from time to time, I didn't get conscripted to the North Korean army :)

[goat89]

I'm still around from time to time, I didn't get conscripted to the North Korean People's Army (NKPA) :)
Fixed and
?????????????
???????????????
???????????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C76HqPaA6kw

You communist b*stard!!!

[Ulytau]

I'm still around from time to time, I didn't get conscripted to the North Korean army :)

Can you share your Tavor with me ? :|

[IDF_TANKER]

Well, yeah.
It basically means the N-word.
How would it come in handy in the military context, I have no idea.p-)

No, it's not. It might be not the most PC term, but it definitely doesn't have the same negative connotation as the N-word.

[GiladS]

No, it's not. It might be not the most PC term, but it definitely doesn't have the same negative connotation as the N-word.

About the term...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushi

[JCR]

This thread has been israeli jacked :)
Or rather Zahal jacked

[RoyB]

No, it's not. It might be not the most PC term, but it definitely doesn't have the same negative connotation as the N-word.
I agree.
Started to add that it isn't really used as a derogatory term, and ended up leaving it out.

[piton_kaa]

The Chechen war... Russian military slang and soldiers' argot to the bandits - "Dyh"-"Dyhi" (more two) as in Afghanistan, because many Arabian mercenaries and "Cheh" (Чех)or "Chehi" (Чехи)(more two) of word "Chechen".

Ps. In Russian ****unciation as the "Czech" but to Czechia and Czechs any relation and anything general...
Also borodachy (bearded) and chernyie (blacks) but seldomly.

Bojki\ boyok (бойки\боёк, from russian "боевик", gunman) and hobbity (hobbits, from "Wahabi"). Mainly used by lawenforcement officers.

[venisianblinds]

terrorist/al qaeda = camel jockeys, towel heads.


no harm intended.

[CPL Trevoga]

Russian from WW2
Italians -Macaroniki (macaroni eaters)
Romanians-Mamalzhniki (mamalyga eaters (Romanian cereal made from corn)
Germans - Fritzy, fashisty
French-sharomizhniki (from "mon cherie" my dear friend came from Patriotic war of 1812
Polish - Polyaki (mean "Polish" in Russian), Polskie Pany - Pan (Polish land owner) -from Civil War.
Finnish -Finny (Finns in Russia)