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US Army Jargon (WWII) Trivia Quiz

US soldiers had their own language for things in WWII. These are some words used to describe army life.

A multiple-choice quiz by beterave. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
beterave

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
326,476

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
1421

Last 3 plays: gracious1 (8/10), Guest 136 (9/10), Guest 5 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. During WWII, what did US soldiers call a shirker or a malingerer? Hint

a goldbrick

useless

stockade bait

a whale

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Question 2 of 10

2. During WWII what did US soldiers call a sewing kit? Hint

a maid

a housewife

a butler

a marriage

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Question 3 of 10

3. During WWII where were US soldiers sent when they were incarcerated? Hint

the brig

the callaboose

the grey bar hotel

the stockade

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Question 4 of 10

4. During WWII what was a latrine? Hint

the mess hall

a parade

sick call

a toilet

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Question 5 of 10

5. During WWII what did the US soldiers call medical personnel? Hint

stretcher bearers

corpsman

medics

medicos

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Question 6 of 10

6. During WWII what two items were in all three K Ration meals? Hint

chocolate and chewing gum

instant coffee and chocolate

chocolate and cheese

cigarettes and chewing gum

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Question 7 of 10

7. During WWII what did US soldiers usually call coffee? Hint

Chuck

Jim

Joe

Fred

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was an officer who had been promoted thru the ranks called? Hint

a colt

a mustang

a ninety day wonder

a lucky looey

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Question 9 of 10

9. During WWII what did US soldiers call desertion? Hint

going under the hill

walking

skipping

going over the hill

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Question 10 of 10

10. During WWII, what was a 'ruptured duck'? Hint

a dishonorable service badge

an honorable service badge

an unservicable lifejacket

a parachute with a hole in it

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 18 2024 : gracious1: 8/10
Oct 01 2024 : Guest 136: 9/10
Sep 29 2024 : Guest 5: 7/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. During WWII, what did US soldiers call a shirker or a malingerer?

Answer: a goldbrick

During WWII anyone who was a shirker or a malingerer was called a goldbrick. There was always at least one in every platoon.

2. During WWII what did US soldiers call a sewing kit?

Answer: a housewife

During WWII US soldiers called their sewing kit a housewife. The term has a long history in this sense in the English-speaking countries.

3. During WWII where were US soldiers sent when they were incarcerated?

Answer: the stockade

During WWII soldiers who were in need of correction were sent to the stockade. This was for minor and major offences.

4. During WWII what was a latrine?

Answer: a toilet

Simply put, a latrine is a toilet or bathroom. If you were not squared away, you could find yourself cleaning one.

5. During WWII what did the US soldiers call medical personnel?

Answer: medics

During WWII medical personnel in the field who served with the infantry were known as medics. The highest compliment the GI could call him was 'doc'.

6. During WWII what two items were in all three K Ration meals?

Answer: cigarettes and chewing gum

The breakfast, dinner, and super meals of the K Ration all contained cigarettes and chewing gum.

7. During WWII what did US soldiers usually call coffee?

Answer: Joe

During WWII US soldiers called the instant coffee Joe or Java.

8. What was an officer who had been promoted thru the ranks called?

Answer: a mustang

An enlisted man or NCO who had been promoted through the ranks was known as a mustang. This denoted speed of promotion.

9. During WWII what did US soldiers call desertion?

Answer: going over the hill

During WWII desertion was known as going over the hill. This term was pretty standard in all the branches of the military.

10. During WWII, what was a 'ruptured duck'?

Answer: an honorable service badge

During WWII a ruptured duck was an honorable service badge worn on the uniform which denoted the servicemen had been discharged. It also alerted the authorities that the serviceman was not AWOL.

Source: Author beterave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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