Unique Slang From WWII Shows A Curious Side To The War

"All servicemen — whether in khaki, blue, or field green — are speaking a fresh and vigorous tongue these days, one all their own," author Francis Raymond Meyer wrote in 1942. Yep, he knew the men in the trenches and on the front lines of battle created their own unique words and phrases to describe everyday things. But many of these terms fizzled out over time — and that was probably for the best, as some of them sound pretty crazy to modern ears!

1. Blow it out your barracks bag!

You may assume this referred to a part of the male anatomy that shouldn't be discussed in public. It was a little less rude than that — but not by much. Specifically, "Blow it out your barracks bag!" was used to tell someone to shut up.

2. Asparagus stick

Yes, you can find an asparagus stick in the produce aisle of your local supermarket, but you can also see it on a submarine. They're what members on board nicknamed the periscope, you see.

3. Belly cousin

No, this doesn't refer to a family member. During soldiers' time off, they would often mingle with a lot of women before returning to duty. And "belly cousin" referred to a man who had bedded the same girl as you.

4. Egg in your beer

It sounds gross, but there are actually people who put raw egg yolks in their beer and whisk it up for a frothier texture. For soldiers, however, this phrase meant too much of a good thing.