Nicknames
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Qweejibo
A USAF HC130 pilot was quite the prankster until they were performed against him.
From a Simpsons episode where Bart made up a name while playing Scrabble with Homer:
"A fat, balding, North American ape with no chin."
A group of JOs at Kadena had a photo of him in a rolled up stocking cap that made him look a right bell-end. The time came to go to Korea and have the photo made into a zap, but the nav with the photo was on det. So the enterprising JOs copied the photo from his official personnel file and made the zap. With the caption running around the edge "Qweejibo on the loose!" I've seen these zaps gracing many a crew bus around the world.
Unfortunately there was a massive sense of humor failure at the use of an official photo, and paperwork was handed out.
The name stuck for many years, in spite of a few squadron commanders standing in front of their commands and ordering that henceforth the name was not to be spoken. They were never my commander, so I thought it prudent to ignore silly orders like that.
R*** C**z just retired and it was difficult to not get on the training sqn tan and announce that Qweejibo was on the loose during his retirement ceremony in the auditorium.
From a Simpsons episode where Bart made up a name while playing Scrabble with Homer:
"A fat, balding, North American ape with no chin."
A group of JOs at Kadena had a photo of him in a rolled up stocking cap that made him look a right bell-end. The time came to go to Korea and have the photo made into a zap, but the nav with the photo was on det. So the enterprising JOs copied the photo from his official personnel file and made the zap. With the caption running around the edge "Qweejibo on the loose!" I've seen these zaps gracing many a crew bus around the world.
Unfortunately there was a massive sense of humor failure at the use of an official photo, and paperwork was handed out.
The name stuck for many years, in spite of a few squadron commanders standing in front of their commands and ordering that henceforth the name was not to be spoken. They were never my commander, so I thought it prudent to ignore silly orders like that.
R*** C**z just retired and it was difficult to not get on the training sqn tan and announce that Qweejibo was on the loose during his retirement ceremony in the auditorium.
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I once met a Tornado navigator of less-than-average-height called "SPIN". On enquiring if he enjoyed spinning, I was told, "No, it stands for Shortest Person in Nato".
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Nobby Clark
The best sensible (and most quoted on a popular search engine) explanation is:
"Nickname 'Nobby' for people called Clark/ Clarke originates from the fact that clerks used to wear top hats (known as Nobby hats) in The City Of London."
Mister B
Zetec
Was Finningley in some sort of time warp to still have WAAFs in the 80s?
The best sensible (and most quoted on a popular search engine) explanation is:
"Nickname 'Nobby' for people called Clark/ Clarke originates from the fact that clerks used to wear top hats (known as Nobby hats) in The City Of London."
Mister B
Zetec
Was Finningley in some sort of time warp to still have WAAFs in the 80s?
Last edited by HTB; 22nd Oct 2012 at 14:45.
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And to cap it all, a whole (and senior) service has a nickname; that is really black catting:
Royal Navy's nickname
The origin of the Royal Navy’s nickname is obscure. Some sources, including the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, say that it derives from one Andrew Miller, a zealous officer of the Impress Service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, who ‘recruited’ so many men to His Majesty's ships that the navy was said to belong to him.
Earlier (19th century) sources variously suggest that Andrew was a slang name for a man o' war; that Andrew Miller was a supplier of provisions to the Royal Navy, with such an apparent monopoly that he was said to own the Navy; or that the Press Service officer was named Andrew Walker. The most reliable list of Royal Navy officers does not mention either an Andrew Miller or an Andrew Walker.
What is certain however, is that the Royal Navy continues to be known as the Andrew, and that there is no absolutely conclusive answer to the derivation of the nickname.
Mister B
Royal Navy's nickname
The origin of the Royal Navy’s nickname is obscure. Some sources, including the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship, say that it derives from one Andrew Miller, a zealous officer of the Impress Service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, who ‘recruited’ so many men to His Majesty's ships that the navy was said to belong to him.
Earlier (19th century) sources variously suggest that Andrew was a slang name for a man o' war; that Andrew Miller was a supplier of provisions to the Royal Navy, with such an apparent monopoly that he was said to own the Navy; or that the Press Service officer was named Andrew Walker. The most reliable list of Royal Navy officers does not mention either an Andrew Miller or an Andrew Walker.
What is certain however, is that the Royal Navy continues to be known as the Andrew, and that there is no absolutely conclusive answer to the derivation of the nickname.
Mister B
One such Airwoman was known locally as 'Frogger' as she hopped into bed with anyone.
Back in the middle of the new-romantic phase, a new airman on camp had what appeared to be a regulation short back and sides until he took his beret off only for his tousled locks to spill down the front of his face. 'Haircut 100' became his burden.
'Dirty Harry' - on account of his romantic exploits..
Our chief was known as 'PACMAN' as wherever he walked, anyone who saw him walked away from him.
Back in the middle of the new-romantic phase, a new airman on camp had what appeared to be a regulation short back and sides until he took his beret off only for his tousled locks to spill down the front of his face. 'Haircut 100' became his burden.
'Dirty Harry' - on account of his romantic exploits..
Our chief was known as 'PACMAN' as wherever he walked, anyone who saw him walked away from him.
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There was a young Loadie that would sneak his girlfriend at the time into the Odiham Sgt's Mess on Friday or Saturday nights in the mid 80's. People for rooms around would be kept awake by the sound of their enthusiastic lovemaking.
This earned her the nickname Electrolux because "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux"... It went completely over his head until it was explained to him.
This earned her the nickname Electrolux because "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux"... It went completely over his head until it was explained to him.
Met a Marine F-4 RIO some years ago whose call sign was 'Vahmit."
It was explained to me that for the first 50 missions over Viet Nam, he was airsick, hence the nickname. On on the 51st, that habit simply went away. The call sign didn't.
Ran into an F-4 pilot, similar vintage, USMC major, named George Stewart (or was it Stuart?) whose call sign was 'Smut.' If you ever asked him the name's origin, you'd only get a quiet smile and his standard response: "You're not cleared to know that."
Worked with a USAF A-10 pilot whose last name was Cates.
His call sign at the time I worked with him was "Defa"
He showed me a name tag from previous unit with "Forni" on it. That one's a bit too easy.
It was explained to me that for the first 50 missions over Viet Nam, he was airsick, hence the nickname. On on the 51st, that habit simply went away. The call sign didn't.
Ran into an F-4 pilot, similar vintage, USMC major, named George Stewart (or was it Stuart?) whose call sign was 'Smut.' If you ever asked him the name's origin, you'd only get a quiet smile and his standard response: "You're not cleared to know that."
Worked with a USAF A-10 pilot whose last name was Cates.
His call sign at the time I worked with him was "Defa"
He showed me a name tag from previous unit with "Forni" on it. That one's a bit too easy.
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We did have a WRAF In RAFG they called the Three Minute Warning on account she was so ugly it was the only time she would ever get laid..
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Wales
on an RAF PR squadron the boss was welsh and not well respected
An a detachment the following joke was told;
Irish accent
Michael were are going to the pictures tonight
Ok Sean what are we going to see
Moby Dick
Oh I don't like sex films
It,s not a sex film it's about wales
Oh I hate those hymn singing B,,,,,,,s as well
The boss became Moby, I don't think anyone told him why though he knew about the name
An a detachment the following joke was told;
Irish accent
Michael were are going to the pictures tonight
Ok Sean what are we going to see
Moby Dick
Oh I don't like sex films
It,s not a sex film it's about wales
Oh I hate those hymn singing B,,,,,,,s as well
The boss became Moby, I don't think anyone told him why though he knew about the name
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Wedge
Was he the one who never made Op and was chucked off the squadron after setting off on an exercise without the auth cards
If so I flew with him on ther MU, the name was apt
If so I flew with him on ther MU, the name was apt
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Nicknames
A colleague of mine told me of a vertcally challenged chap called Holdover whose nickname was Foldover!
Of course the RN has nicknames for virtually everyone, there is even a special area of the RN website dedicated to them!
Of course the RN has nicknames for virtually everyone, there is even a special area of the RN website dedicated to them!
Talking of WRAFs
Anyone remember the WRAF called "Scooper" - however the muck she used to scoop was a most unhealthy habit if she tried to kiss you afterwards
Or the "Lester" and "Dessie" combo? What a racket that was...
...then there was the "Spanish Enfanta" (sadly now RIP)...
...or the uckers-named "double sucking bl0b f^ck" at Neatishead...
The B Word
Anyone remember the WRAF called "Scooper" - however the muck she used to scoop was a most unhealthy habit if she tried to kiss you afterwards
Or the "Lester" and "Dessie" combo? What a racket that was...
...then there was the "Spanish Enfanta" (sadly now RIP)...
...or the uckers-named "double sucking bl0b f^ck" at Neatishead...
The B Word
One of the great characters on UWAS in the early 1970s was Off Cdt Derek Thompson, who had already acquired the nickname 'Thumper'. I can't now remember the origin of this but it apparently followed him throughout his RAF career.
We also had the late great Wyn Evans (RIP) who went on to great things in the Jaguar force. Known to all and sundry as 'Druid'.
We also had the late great Wyn Evans (RIP) who went on to great things in the Jaguar force. Known to all and sundry as 'Druid'.
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Origin of "pongo" please.
Why "crab"? I was told that long ago sailors were issued with an RAF blue ungent to rub on their goolies to kill lice. Can this be true?
Why "crab"? I was told that long ago sailors were issued with an RAF blue ungent to rub on their goolies to kill lice. Can this be true?
Last edited by 26er; 22nd Oct 2012 at 19:13.
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WRAF / WAAF ???
Mister B
Zetec
Was Finningley in some sort of time warp to still have WAAFs in the 80s?
Apologies, age showing should have been local purchase WRAF, PH.
Zetec
Was Finningley in some sort of time warp to still have WAAFs in the 80s?
Apologies, age showing should have been local purchase WRAF, PH.
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Not crewroom names, I'm afraid, but when I worked in MOD we had a scientist whose surname was Lemmer. It took me a long time to realise that he wasn't Welsh, and that his first name was Bill, rather than Dai.
In a later job we had a colleague who was wont to ensnare people in long rambling conversations. He was known as the Black Hole - incredibly dense, and impossible to get away from...
In a later job we had a colleague who was wont to ensnare people in long rambling conversations. He was known as the Black Hole - incredibly dense, and impossible to get away from...
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Have to say that "where the pong goes" sounds rather contrived.
I prefer the version that says in the 19th Cent. pongos - oops! sorry, lobsters wore scarlet tunics, just like the scarlet jackets traditionally worn by organ grinders' monkeys. And as pongo is an old name for an ape...
Betcha that's the real origin.
Interestingly that while the OED lists pongo as slang for a soldier it does not list crab or crabfat in this context which is surprising so crabfat must be another forces-specific word that has had virtually no exposure outside.
And as a nickname "Foo" Kinnell takes some beating. Or the infamous "Piggy-Eyes" Nicholson.
Edit to add this little gem lifted verbatim (that's all of it to pongos) from arsey pedia. (which, you pongos, does NOT mean bum boys...)
I prefer the version that says in the 19th Cent. pongos - oops! sorry, lobsters wore scarlet tunics, just like the scarlet jackets traditionally worn by organ grinders' monkeys. And as pongo is an old name for an ape...
Betcha that's the real origin.
Interestingly that while the OED lists pongo as slang for a soldier it does not list crab or crabfat in this context which is surprising so crabfat must be another forces-specific word that has had virtually no exposure outside.
And as a nickname "Foo" Kinnell takes some beating. Or the infamous "Piggy-Eyes" Nicholson.
Edit to add this little gem lifted verbatim (that's all of it to pongos) from arsey pedia. (which, you pongos, does NOT mean bum boys...)
Origins of 'Crab'
While some of the explanations below are derived from or purported to be the "official" version the RAF have been named "crabs" due to the fact that they have no limit to the number of sideways paces they can do as a drill movement. While army and navy have a fixed limit of sideways paces the RAF can actually march the entire width of a parade ground sideways.
Once upon a time, the RAF flew Spitfires with tail wheels near the tail and huge Merlin engines at the front. This meant that during taxiing, all they could see to the front was an enormous engine. In order to see what was in front of them, they had to look over the side and zigzag, thus they'd be moving sideways. On landing, they would sideslip to lose height.
Because of airfield security, the only time land-locked mortals got to see the RAF anywhere near close up was during landing, take-off and taxiing, when they were moving sideways. Since only crabs walk sideways, clearly the RAF was staffed by crabs.
Coupled with the fact that the Fleet Air Arm attracted all the best pilots and the Army always won inter-service regattas, a once popular forces T-shirt logo read: 'Fly Navy.Sail Army. Walk Sideways!'
Another more plausible explanation as to why the RN refer to the RAF as 'crabs' goes back to the days of rum, sodomy and the lash (about last week in fact). One of the more unsavoury aspects of the average matelot was his unfortunate habit of contracting pubic lice or "crabs" during his shore leave. The treatment for this condition was to get a chum or shipmate to apply a liberal application of a greasy blue/grey ointment (known affectionately as "crab fat") to the affected area. The proper name for the ointment was Blue Unction.
With the RN's usual powers of wit and sophistication the RAF were thereafter referred to as 'crab fats' (or crabs for short) as their blue/grey uniform was exactly the same colour as the stuff that the filthy little ratings rubbed on their swollen and lice-ravaged goolies. The RAF by contrast affectionately refer to the Royal Navy as Bum Boys or Fish Heads. The Army are Pongos, Brown Jobs or Grunts.
While some of the explanations below are derived from or purported to be the "official" version the RAF have been named "crabs" due to the fact that they have no limit to the number of sideways paces they can do as a drill movement. While army and navy have a fixed limit of sideways paces the RAF can actually march the entire width of a parade ground sideways.
Once upon a time, the RAF flew Spitfires with tail wheels near the tail and huge Merlin engines at the front. This meant that during taxiing, all they could see to the front was an enormous engine. In order to see what was in front of them, they had to look over the side and zigzag, thus they'd be moving sideways. On landing, they would sideslip to lose height.
Because of airfield security, the only time land-locked mortals got to see the RAF anywhere near close up was during landing, take-off and taxiing, when they were moving sideways. Since only crabs walk sideways, clearly the RAF was staffed by crabs.
Coupled with the fact that the Fleet Air Arm attracted all the best pilots and the Army always won inter-service regattas, a once popular forces T-shirt logo read: 'Fly Navy.Sail Army. Walk Sideways!'
Another more plausible explanation as to why the RN refer to the RAF as 'crabs' goes back to the days of rum, sodomy and the lash (about last week in fact). One of the more unsavoury aspects of the average matelot was his unfortunate habit of contracting pubic lice or "crabs" during his shore leave. The treatment for this condition was to get a chum or shipmate to apply a liberal application of a greasy blue/grey ointment (known affectionately as "crab fat") to the affected area. The proper name for the ointment was Blue Unction.
With the RN's usual powers of wit and sophistication the RAF were thereafter referred to as 'crab fats' (or crabs for short) as their blue/grey uniform was exactly the same colour as the stuff that the filthy little ratings rubbed on their swollen and lice-ravaged goolies. The RAF by contrast affectionately refer to the Royal Navy as Bum Boys or Fish Heads. The Army are Pongos, Brown Jobs or Grunts.
Last edited by Agaricus bisporus; 22nd Oct 2012 at 20:42.