RAF slang

{{Short description|Slang terms used in the Royal Air Force}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Use British English|date=February 2018}} thumb|A party of riggers working on the tailplane of a Supermarine Spitfire during World War II The '''Royal Air Force''' ('''RAF''') developed a distinctive '''slang''' which has been documented in works such as ''Piece of Cake'' and the ''Dictionary of RAF slang''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Coleman|first=Julie|date=28 October 2010|title=A History of Cant and Slang Dictionaries: Volume IV: 1937-1984|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rigul3FIx-0C&pg=PA54|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, England|page=54|isbn=978-0-19-956725-6|via=Google Books}}</ref>

The following is a comprehensive selection of slang terms and common abbreviations used by Royal Air Force from before World War II until the present day; less common abbreviations are not included. The slang of the RAF (sometimes referred to as ''Slanguage''), developed partially from its antecedents of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service, however, some phrases developed with less certainty of their origin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Francis |first1=Martin |title=The Flyer : British culture and the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945 |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780199277483 |page=37}}</ref>

Often common colloquial terms are used as well by airmen, in addition, some terms have come into common parlance such as "I ''pranged'' the car last night". Other slang was used by British and Empire air forces. There were a number of codes used within the RAF, not now under the official secrets act, some of which are included. Terms such as ''Jankers'' and ''Brylcreem Boys'' do not apply as the first was a general military term for someone under military discipline, and the latter was how the RAF were referred to by others.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=108}}

It is followed by a list of nicknames of aircraft used by, or familiar to, the RAF.

{{Compact TOC}} <!--Please cite your entries with reliable sources - UNSOURCED entries will be deleted. Thank you-->

==A== *''Air officer'' – a term used to describe the top five ranks in the RAF; (from lowest to top rank) air commodore, air vice-marshal, air marshal, air chief marshal, and marshal of the Royal Air Force.{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=147}} *''All arms and legs'' – a term for weak beer.{{sfn|Gunderson|2000|p=56}} *''Angel'' – a height of {{convert|1,000|ft}}. This is referenced in the film Angels One Five, meaning aircraft at {{convert|15,000|ft}}.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=28}} *''Apron'' – the tarmac or concreted hardstanding area surrounding a hangar.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}} *''Auggies'' – (pronounced ''oggies''), members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}}

==B== *''Backroom Boys'' – term used for military scientists (boffins).{{sfn|Gunderson|2000|p=56}} *''Bale out'' (or ''Bail out'') – to jump out of a stricken aircraft and parachute down to earth.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}}<ref name=IWM/> *''Banana Boat'' – an aircraft carrier.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=14}} *''Bandit'' – an enemy aircraft.{{sfn|Bowyer|1984|p=115}} *''Bang-on'' – right on target, a direct hit on a target by a bomb, bullseye.{{sfn|Gunderson|2000|p=56}} *''Belt–up'' – RAF slang from the 1930s meaning to be quiet.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=64}} *''Best Blue'' – the Number 1 uniform worn by RAF personnel, usually for parades, but also when someone was 'under restrictions'.{{sfn|Ford|1992|p=216}} *''Bimble'' – a wander around; "We'll just bimble down to the mess".{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=201}} *''Bimble Box'' – packed lunch.<ref name="JACK1">{{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Paul A. |title=Royal Air Force |date=1995 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton |isbn=0711023387 |page=94 |edition=2}}</ref> *''Blanket Drill'' – to take a nap, sleep.{{sfn|Gunderson|2000|p=57}} *''Blower'' – the telephone.{{sfn|Ford|1992|p=216}} *''Boffin'' – a scientist or technical person.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=89}} *''Bogey'' – an unidentified aircraft, suspected of being hostile.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=17}} *''Bone Dome'' – a flying helmet.<ref name="JACK1"/> *''Bought it'' – to be killed, or shot down by enemy fire.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}} *''Brolly'' – a parachute, particularly when used to 'Bale out'.{{sfn|Fussell|1989|p=256}} *''Buckshee'' – something that was free, gratis.{{sfn|Gunderson|2000|p=58}} *''Bumf'' – paperwork or boring reading. Originally used to describe leaflets dropped as a means of psychological operations over enemy territory; the term derives from 'bum-fodder'.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}} *''Burton, gone for a'' – a widely used term, but in RAF slang meaning someone who has gone missing, or more likely, had been killed on operations.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=76}} *''Bus driver'' – a slang term used by fighter pilots to describe bomber pilots.{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=146}}

==C== *''(The) Chair force'' – desk-bound, ground personnel, see also: 'shiny'.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=47}} *''Char'' – a drink of tea.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}} *''Chauffeurs Electronic'' – pilots of Shackletons, Nimrods etc.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=Deborah |title=Growling over the oceans : the Avro Shackleton, the men and the missions 1951-1991 |date=2010 |publisher=Souvenir Press |location=London |isbn=9780285638761 |page=xxii}}</ref> *''Clot'' – archaic, mildly derogative term used to describe someone prone to idiotic tendencies.<ref name=IWM-GEN/>

==D== *''Dhobi'' – laundry.{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=147}} *''Dhobi dust'' – washing powder.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=203}} *''(the) Ditch'' – the English Channel.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=23}} *''(to) Ditch'' (or ''Ditching'') – to either bale out into, or land an aircraft, in the sea (also known as ''In the drink'').{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=15}}<ref name="IWM">{{cite web|title=Life And Death In Bomber Command|url=https://www.IWM.org.uk/history/life-and-death-in-bomber-command|website=www.IWM.org.uk|location=London, England|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref>

==E== *''Erk'' – short for aircraftman, came to mean any low rank person or beginner, an old RAF nickname originating in the First World War; it started out as ''airk''.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=180}}

==F== *''Fang farrier'' – a dentist.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}} *''(Mr) Fireworks'' – an armaments officer.{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=146}} *''Flap'' – to panic, or a disturbance on station, i.e., "What's the flap?"{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=16}} *''(to) Fly a desk'' – a job that a pilot does in the RAF after they have ceased their flying career.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=248}} *''Fruit salad'' - a large array of medal ribbons on someone's uniform.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=47}}

==G== *''Gash'' – used by all three services to describe something that is rubbish, but additionally, in the RAF, is used as a meaning of anything free; e.g., "any chance of a gash job to check the brakes on my car".{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=153}} *''Gen'' – information of any kind, e.g., "What's the gen?"{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=16}}<ref name=IWM-GEN>{{Cite web|url=https://www.IWM.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060022399|title=The Gen, No 12|website=www.IWM.org.uk|location=London, England|publisher=RAF Film Production Unit|orig-date=January 1945|date=May 2009|via=Imperial War Museum|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref> This could either be reliable information, (''Pukka Gen'') or unreliable, (''Duff Gen'').{{sfn|Fussell|1989|p=255}} *''Glamour boys'' – derogatory term for fighter pilots.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=16}}{{sfn|Room|2000|p=281}} *''God botherer'' – a chaplain in the RAF, or padre.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}} *''(To) Go pear–shaped'' – something that has gone wrong, Refers to the look of an aircraft that has crashed nose first.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=294}} *''Gravel crusher'' – an NCO who was employed to drill the airmen.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=53}} *''Gremlin'' – an unknown mischievous sprite that was blamed for anything that went wrong with an aircraft, e.g., "The gremlins have been at it again!"{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=247}} *''Grow-bag'' – the flight suit that pilots wear, said to be so named because of the untidy appearance of both items; grow-bag by extension can also be used as a description of aircrew; "The grow-bags are heading out for lunch".{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=203}} *''Gunners'' – a term for the RAF Regiment ground defence and fighting troops.<ref name=TT>{{Cite web|last=Mallinson|first=Allan|date=27 March 2010|title=RAF's unsung heroes win their spurs in Afghanistan|url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/rafs-unsung-heroes-win-their-spurs-in-afghanistan-j76lxtq2pcf|website=The Times|access-date=26 August 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==H== *''Happy Valley'' – a name for the Ruhr Valley in Germany which was heavily bombed during the Second World War.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=315}} *''Heat wagon'' – a fire engine.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=46}}

==I== *''In a spot'' – in some difficulty, as in "..in a spot of bother.."{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=33}}

==J== *''(The) Japs'' – native Japanese people.<ref name=IWM-GEN/> *''(The) Juice'' – the North Sea.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=38}}

==K== *''Kipper Fleet'' – derogatory name for Coastal Command.{{sfn|Bowyer|1984|p=116}} *''Kite'' – a term used to describe any aircraft.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=325}}

==L== *''Liney'' – an aircraft mechanic, or someone who works on the aircraft flight line.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}}

==M== *''Mae West'' – a lifebelt worn around the upper body which was inflated if aircrew went into the sea; its name derives, by way of rhyming slang,<ref>{{cite book|last=Elster|first=Charles Harrington|author-link=Charles Harrington Elster|title=What in the Word?: Wordplay, Word Lore, and Answers to Your Peskiest Questions about Language|publisher=Harcourt Trade|year=2006|page=[https://archive.org/details/whatinwordwordpl0000elst/page/246 246]|isbn=978-0-15-603197-4|url=https://archive.org/details/whatinwordwordpl0000elst/}}</ref> from the bust of the voluptuous American actress.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=376}} *''Meat wagon'' – an ambulance, may also be used for those who 'bought it'.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=46}} *''Milk run'' (or ''Milk round'') – a sortie against an easy target, especially one which could be used to break in inexperienced bomber crews.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=400}}

==N== *''Nickel'' – a sortie over enemy territory to drop leaflets (''bumf'').{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=14}} *''Noddy Suit'' – an NBC suit.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jackson |first1=Paul A. |title=Royal Air Force |date=1995 |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Shepperton |isbn=0711023387 |page=95 |edition=2}}</ref>

==O== *''Oppo'' – a friend or colleague, from ''my opposite number''.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=42}}

==P== *''Pebble Monkey'' – a term used to describe very junior RAF Regiment officers (see Rock Ape).{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=158}} *''Piece of cake'' – a task performed with relative ease<ref>{{cite book |last1=Francis |first1=Martin |title=The Flyer : British culture and the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945 |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780199277483 |page=36}}</ref> *''Plumber'' – a member of the armament trade, originated from when ammunition contained lead (Pb being the chemical formula for lead); though later came to be a reference to almost any ground trade associated with aircraft.{{sfn|Bowyer|1984|p=116}} *''Prang'' – to achieve a direct hit, or to crash one's own aircraft; a term originating in the Second World War, it also gave rise to the term ''Wizard Prang'', meaning ''wonderful'' or an extremely accurate hit on a target.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=485}} Prang derives from the Malay word ''Pĕrang'', which means war.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Burgess |first1=Anthony |editor1-last=Bolton |editor1-first=W. |editor2-last=Crystal |editor2-first=D. |title=The English language |orig-date=1966|date=1969 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=London |isbn=0521073251 |page=304 |chapter=22: Words (from ''Language Made Plain'')}}</ref> *''Prune'' – someone who is foolish or not to be looked up to or respected; stems from a Second World War cartoon character, Pilot Officer Prune, who does everything wrong and risks his safety and that of others. A modern-day equivalent in the RAF safety journal (''Air Clues''), is Wing Commander Spry.{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=158}}

==Q== *''QRA'' – Quick Reaction Alert. The maintenance of ready armed aircraft awaiting scramble at a moments notice to intercept unknown aircraft entering UK airspace.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Proctor |first1=Ian |title=The Royal Air Force in the Cold War, 1950-1970 |date=2014 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=9781473844551 |page=28}}</ref>

==R== *''Rigger'' – an airframe mechanic or technician.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=48}} *''Rock ape'' – slang but inwardly affectionate term for a member of the RAF Regiment.<ref name=TT/><ref>{{Cite news|title=RAF aim to 'dominate the ground'|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7022472.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=2 October 2007|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> *''Ropey'' – an adjective used to describe something bad; "That was a ropey landing".{{sfn|Congdon|1985|p=147}}

==S== *''Scramble'' – a term that came into use during the Second World War, particularly during the Battle of Britain; scramble was used to alert ground and aircrews of an incoming attack in their area of operation, and rapidly launch aircraft.{{sfn|Pickering|Isaacs|Martin|1991|p=585}} *''Scrambled egg'' – the gold braid on high-ranking officers' parade uniforms, and the gold adornment on the visor of their SD hat.{{sfn|Ellin|2015|p=47}} *''Scuffer'' – a nickname for members of the Royal Air Force Police.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}} *''Snowdrop'' – a nickname for personnel of the RAF Police (RAFP).{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=16}} The name derives from the white hats that the RAFP wear.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Air Force Police|url=https://www.IWM.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/78850|website=www.IWM.org.uk|location=London, England|publisher=Imperial War Museum|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> *''Sparks'' – a wireless operator.{{sfn|Monahan|2018|p=283}} *''Swanning (around)'' – to waste time. In the immediate aftermath of VE Day, personnel using official transport for less than official business were said to be ''swanning around''. Seemingly derived from the nature of swans swimming upon a lake which appeared to be "haphazard".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hadaway |first1=Stuart |title=Missing believed killed: the Royal AIr Force and the search for missing aircrew 1939 - 1952 |date=2008 |publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation |location=Barnsley |isbn=978-1-84415-734-1 |page=178}}</ref>

==T== *''Tail–end Charlie'' – nickname for the rear gunner in a bomber aircraft.{{sfn|Room|2000|p=673}} *''Tin fish'' – a torpedo.{{sfn|Halpenny|1982|p=16}} *''Trenchard Brat'' – an aircraft apprentice, so named after Lord Trenchard, who initiated the apprentice scheme in the RAF.{{sfn|Monahan|2018|p=283}} *''Type'' – a person (usually male); as in "he's a ropey type".{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=60}}

==U== * US (often ''U/S'') - unserviceable.{{sfn|Partridge|2016|p=60}}

==V==

==W== *''Winco'' – Wing Commander.<ref>OPINION: Common abbreviation for the Air Force Wing Commander, 26 August 2020</ref>

==Y== *''Yellow peril'' – now archaic, but previously used to describe the colour of elementary training aircraft; there is still a nod to this with the yellow and black colour scheme used on the training helicopters at the Defence Helicopter Flying School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.RAFMuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/taking-flight/training-aircraft-colour-schemes/|title=Training Aircraft Colour Schemes|website=www.RAFMuseum.org.uk|location=London, England|publisher=Royal Air Force Museum|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>

==Aircraft nicknames== *''Chippie'' – a de Havilland Chipmunk.<ref name="JACK1"/> *''Fat Albert'' – Lockheed Hercules (all variants).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hercules|url=https://www.NationalColdWarExhibition.org/research/collections/lockheed-c-130-hercules/|website=www.NationalColdWarExhibition.org|publisher=National Cold War Exhibition|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> *''Flying Cigar (The)'' – a Wellington bomber.{{sfn|Hunt|2008|p=32}} *''Funbus'' – Vickers VC10.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-24165590 Vickers VC10 jetliners fly last mission from RAF Brize Norton] 20 September 2013</ref> *''Growler'' – Avro Shackleton. Also known as the ''White Whale'' or ''Old Grey Lady'', the latter two being names adopted due to the colour schemes used. The nickname ''The Growler'' was used more often, and related to the engine noise.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lake |first1=Deborah |title=Growling over the oceans : the Avro Shackleton, the men and the missions 1951-1991 |date=2010 |publisher=Souvenir Press |location=London |isbn=9780285638761 |pages=16–17}}</ref> *''Hali, Hally, Haly'' – Handley Page Halifax.<ref>OPINION: a nickname for any of the Handley-Paige Halifax bombers, 26 August 2020</ref> *''Lizzie'' – a Lysander aircraft.{{sfn|Hunt|2008|p=44}} *''Mossie'' – a de Havilland DH98 Mosquito.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warbird Alley: deHavilland DH 98 Mosquito |url=http://www.warbirdalley.com/mossie.htm |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.warbirdalley.com}}</ref>{{Better source|date=November 2024}} *''Spit, Spitter, Bomfire'' – Supermarine Spitfire<ref>{{Cite web|title=Supermarine Spitfire|url=http://www.WarbirdAlley.com/spit.htm|website=www.WarbirdAlley.com|publisher=Warbird Alley}}</ref>{{Better source|date=November 2024}} *''Tiffy'' – originally for the Hawker Typhoon, now for the Eurofighter Typhoon.{{sfn|Dent|2017|p=202}} *''Timmy'' – Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.<ref>{{Cite news|title=TriStar retires after 30 years' service|url=https://www.GOV.uk/government/news/tristar-retires-after-30-years-service|website=www.GOV.uk|publisher=HM Government|date=25 March 2014|access-date=26 August 2020}}</ref> *''Tonka'' – Panavia Tornado (all variants).<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Bidding a fond farewell to RAF's mighty Tonka|journal=Flight International|date=8 March 2019}}</ref> *''Wokka'' (or ''The Mighty Wokka'') – a Chinook helicopter.<ref>{{cite book |last1=McConaghy |first1=Liz |title=Chinook Crew 'Chick' |date=2022 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=978-139907-292-2 |page=109}}</ref>

==In popular culture== Monty Python's Flying Circus featured a sketch named "RAF Banter".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p031d268 |title=BBC One - Monty Python's Flying Circus, Series 4, Episode 3 |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=n.d. |website=bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

===Sources=== *{{cite book |last1=Bowyer |first1=Chaz |title=Royal Air Force handbook, 1939-1945 |date=1984 |publisher=I. Allan |location=London |isbn=0711013187}} *{{cite book|last=Congdon|first=Philip|title=Behind the Hangar Doors|year=1985|publisher=Sonik Books|location=Woodhall Spa|isbn=0-9510139-0-4}} *{{cite book|last=Dent|first=Susie|title=Dent's Modern Tribes: The Secret Languages of Britain|year=2017|publisher=John Murray|location=London|isbn=978-1-473-62387-3}} *{{cite thesis|last=Ellin|first=Dan|title=The many behind the few : the lives and emotions of Erks and WAAFs of RAF Bomber Command 1939-1945|year=2015|publisher=University of Warwick|location=Warwick|oclc= 1065131481 |url=http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/73976/ |type=PhD}} *{{cite book |last1=Ford |first1=Keith S. |title=Snaith days : life with 51 Squadron 1942/45 |date=1992 |publisher=Compaid Graphics |location=Warrington |isbn=0-9517965-1-8 }} *{{Cite book|last=Fussell|first=Paul|date=1989|title=Wartime: understanding and behaviour in the Second World War|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, England|isbn=0-19-503797-9}} *{{cite journal |last1=Gunderson |first1=Brian S. |title=Slanguage: Part I: Letters A-C |journal=Air Power History |date=2000 |volume=47 |issue=4 |publisher=Air Force Historical Foundation |issn=1044-016X}} *{{cite book|last=Halpenny|first=Bruce Barrymore|title=Action Stations 4; Military Airfields of Yorkshire|year=1982|publisher=Patrick Stephens|location=Cambridge|isbn=0-85059-532-0}} *{{cite book |last1=Hunt |first1=J. L. |title=Service slang |date=2008 |publisher=Faber |location=London |isbn=978-0571240142}} *{{cite report|last=Monahan|first=Fin|title=The origins of the organisational culture of the Royal Air Force.|year=2018|publisher=University of Birmingham|location=Birmingham|oclc=1064611289}} *{{cite book| last=Partridge |first=Eric | title= A Dictionary of RAF Slang |year=2016|publisher=Penguin Books|location=London |isbn=978-1-405-93059-8}} *{{cite book|editor-last1=Pickering |editor-first1=David |editor-last2=Isaacs |editor-first2=Alan |editor-last3=Martin |editor-first3=Elizabeth|title=Brewer's Twentieth Century Phrase & Fable|year=1991|publisher=Cassell|location=London|isbn=0-304-34059-6}} *{{cite book |editor1-last=Room |editor1-first=Adrian |title=Brewer's dictionary of modern phrase & fable |date=2000 |publisher=Cassell |location=London |isbn=9780304353811}}

==External links== *[http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/12392.php RAFCommands Archive] *[http://www.flyingforyourlife.com/slang.html RCAF/RAF Slang, Abbreviations & Acronyms] *[http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=105008;article=17157;title=The%20Battle%20of%20Britain%20Historical%20Society%20Discussion%20Forum Battle of Britain Historical Society]

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Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military slang and jargon