West Point Slang (Chicago Tribune, Dec. 1956)

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I like this one, just delivered up by ProQuest digitization of the Chicago Tribune.


23 December 1956, Chicago Daily Trinbune, pg. N4:

_WEST POINT'S_
_SLANG USED IN_
_VIDEO SERIES_

West Pointers, like all service groups, have their slang terms, which crop up occasionally in the CBS-TV series West Point, telecast at 7:30 p.m. Fridays.

An "area bird"? That's a cadet serving punishment by walking the area. A plebe is a freshman, and if he doesn't answer his seniors he may get a crawl (rebuke).

Upperclassman to plebe: "How is the cow?"

Plebe: "Sir, she walks, she talks, she's full of chalk, the lacteal fluid extracted from the female of the bovine species is highly prolific to the nth degree."

The low ranking plebe, who has to brace (assume correct military carriage), spoon up (put in order), tour (hour's walk), might be a hivey (quick to learn), army brat (son of officer), but he must not get B. J. (bold before June).

Whether flanker (tall person) or gnome (member of a runt company), he's sure to have an O. A. O. (One and Only Her). But he'll be happiest when he's a yearling (member of the third class) and can grin at a plebe and ask: "How is the cow, mister?"