Mae West and the Military

[Carter Rila]

A "Mae West" is a Navy nick-name for a yellow-colored inflatable flotation vest worn during WWII by naval aviators. Once you bale out or ditch you pull a cord and CO2 cartridges pop it open or if it deflated there is a breath tube. Among others our ex-executive George H.W. Bush owes his life to a Mae West.
El Cutachero
 
 
 
 
 

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org