The language of armed forces

Very few people know these 10 words come from the military. Do you?

Image: israel palacio

Throughout human history, one profession has stood the passage of time and remained constant even in our modern days: Most nations, kingdoms, or empires in history have taken great pride in the strength and honor of their military. In that sense, it seems only logical that something as valuable for any society has a profound and direct impact on the way we communicate with each other. However, this influence can sometimes be overlooked, so we have decided to select a few words we use every day that have military origins. We guarantee you’ll be surprised by more than a few of these entries! Enjoy!

Image: Mitchell Orr

Considering its meaning and silly-sounding nature, you might find it surprising to learn that the slang word "skedaddle", which means to hurriedly run away from a situation, rose to prominence during the American Civil War. While the exact origins of this word are unclear, it was first printed and popularized in 1861 by Northern newspapers, referring to the advancement and withdrawal of opposing troops.

Image: Kyle Johnston

Just like "skedaddle", the word "ginormous" seems more akin to a Dr. Seuss book than to the severity and discipline of the British army. And yet, that’s exactly where "ginormous" comes from: It was a slang term originated by British soldiers during WW2, naturally used to describe something extremely (and ridiculously) large, resulting from the combination of the words "gigantic" and "enormous".

Image: Markus Spiske

Nowadays, almost all forms of the word "picket" are associated with protesting: It can be used to refer to the act of protesting, to a group of protesters, or to a structure raised as a sign of protest. In fact, the meaning less linked to this word is its original definition: In the 17th century, the word "picket" described a post or fence with a sharp point, which was used as a defense against cavalry soldiers. In fact, this word comes from the French term piquet, which literally means "pointed stake".

Image: Indra Projects

"Jamoke" is a rather interesting term. Nowadays, this word is considered an insult, used to refer to someone uninteresting and dull. However, that wasn’t always the case: You probably already know that "jamoke" is originally a slang word used for coffee. It wasn’t until WW1 that soldiers started using this word as a derogatory term, used to insult someone as boring and plain as a cup of coffee.

Image: Lucas Lenzi

The word "raunchy" might be used to describe both a joke in bad taste or a messy and filthy place: It’s basically used to describe something dirty or in bad shape. While the etymology of the word remains unclear, we do know that it is a common slang term in the U.S. Air Corp, and some believe that it comes from cadets comparing an unkept place with a filthy "ranch".

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

The origins of the word "skosh", which is used to describe a small amount or a pinch of something, are truly fascinating. It was brought back to the United States by American soldiers deployed to the Korean War. Interestingly, this word comes from the Japanese word sukoshi, which means "a little", so although the word has changed when brought to an American audience, the meaning of both terms is basically the same.

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

The word "clobber" means to hit something or someone particularly hard: You might be familiar with the term from the Fantastic Four member "The Thing", whose iconic catchphrase is "It’s clobberin’ time!". In any case, most etymologists believe that the origins of this word come from the British Air Force, since "clobbering" was once used as a synonym for bombing.

Image: Andrew Neel

In our days, the word "hotshot" is usually used to describe someone of great importance, or of outstanding success in a particular field: For instance, you might employ the services of a hotshot lawyer or doctor. However, there’s also a derogatory side to this word, since a hotshot might be someone who recklessly jumps into action. Regardless, some historians believe that the origins of this word date back to the times of old naval battles, when sailors who loaded heated cannonballs (the titular "hot shots") were usually regarded as people with great skill for battle.

Image: Designecologist

This entry doesn’t refer to the etymology of the word itself, but rather to the military origins of the fireworks you might enjoy on a 4th of July. You might be surprised to learn that fireworks date back to Ancient China, since the earliest evidence of recreational fireworks can be dated back to the Song dynasty which ruled between 960 and 1279. However, the bright lights of fireworks were developed from early military rockets and explosive missiles, which employed the same kind of gunpowder.

Image: Megan Menegay

Think back on your first day at a new school or a new job, and focus on both the excitement and nervousness that you probably felt: With any luck, you had a more experienced friend or coworker who "knew the ropes" and was able to show you how everything worked in that new environment. As you probably guessed, the expression "to know the ropes" comes from the world of sailing, where sailors had to be extremely familiar with the ropes of their ships: Any sailor worth its salt knew which rope raised which sail, and how to properly tie them.

Decoding

Being a "treasured guest" is not a compliment. This is the hidden meaning

Have you ever heard "Code Adam" while shopping for groceries at Walmart? Or maybe you’ve heard how "Dr. Firestone" was being paged during a routine hospital visit. They sound like harmless announcements. But behind these ordinary words are secret codes staff use to signal emergencies without causing panic. From hospitals and supermarkets to airports and Disney Parks, these phrases quietly warn employees that something is happening. You hope you never hear them, but if you do, it helps to know exactly what they mean.

We all love getting special attention at airports or hotel desks, but if you hear the clerk call you a "treasured guest," don’t feel so flattered. You may not be as VIP as one could think.

In the hospitality industry, "treasured guest" has become a humorous bit of industry folklore to describe someone causing trouble. Maybe a customer yelling at staff over expired coupons, demanding impossible accommodations, or throwing a full-blown tantrum at the front desk. Whatever it is, the phrase has become the staff’s secret way to warn co-workers without escalating the situation in front of the customers. Most guests don’t realize the meaning, but once you know it, you may start hearing it more often. We just hope it’s not about you.

Imagine you’re pushing a shopping cart through Walmart when suddenly the overhead speaker announces, "Code Adam." You can easily assume it’s some kind of employee meeting or cleanup request. But when you see them start locking the exits and moving around, you know something’s wrong.

This code was created in 1994 by Walmart in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in memory of the tragic case of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. Adam was abducted from a Sears department store in 1981 while shopping with his mother. His father, John Walsh, later became famous for hosting the TV program America’s Most Wanted and advocating for missing children. Even if Adam’s story ended in tragedy, Walmart created the emergency system in Adam’s memory, and other retailers soon adopted it nationwide, intending to have a quick response to missing or abducted children.

You’re sitting in a hospital waiting room during a routine check-up when you suddenly hear "Code Blue, Room 214." Most people immediately know it sounds serious, even if they are not entirely sure why.

The phrase "Code Blue" is used at hospitals to draw the necessary staff and equipment to perform a resuscitation. It was created in the early 1960s at Beathany Medical Center by Dr. Hughes Day. Before then, hospital resuscitations were often chaotic and poorly coordinated. In 1961, Dr. Day received a grant to build one of America’s first cardiac care centers, and he developed both the Code Blue alert system and the modern crash cart to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Today, the system is used in hospitals across the country, sometimes with specialized versions like "Code Blue Pediatric" or "Code Blue Neonate."

Imagine visiting a loved one in the hospital when the intercom calmly announces, "Paging Dr. Firectone to the third floor." Your head surely goes, "Dr. Firestone’s probably having a busy day up there." He is, but it’s not what you think.

The phrase is actually a discreet fire alert used to warn staff about smoke, flames, or overheating equipment without frightening patients and visitors. Hospitals adopted these coded announcements after realizing that openly yelling "fire" over loudspeakers could create panic, especially among patients who aren’t able to move quickly. "Code Red" is an alternative used by many health centers today, but it also hints at the situation while keeping hallways calm.

You’re standing at a checkout counter when the cashier picks up the phone and quietly says, "I need a Code 10 authorization." If you think that’s just another way to get a supervisor’s approval or technical issue, think again. In reality, the cashier may suspect the credit card is stolen or fraudulent.

Code 10 was developed through a cooperative effort between major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, along with international standard organizations. As credit cards became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, stores needed a discreet way to alert banks about suspicious activity without directly accusing customers and potentially putting employees at danger. When a cashier requests a Code 10, the bank’s operator begins asking yes-or-no questions to assess the situation and guide the employee on what to do next.

You’ve probably experienced those long airport security lines. The wait is usually uneventful. But sometimes, you can hear "Code Bravo" over the speakers. Maybe it’s a delay, or maybe it’s an issue with luggage. Within seconds, people stop moving, the security line freezes, and exits may even close. It’s something bigger.

Code Bravo is the emergency phrase used by airport security and the Transportation Security Administration to signal a serious security threat, such as an unattended bag, a breach at a checkpoint, or someone slipping into a restricted area. The term comes from the international phonetic alphabet used in aviation and military communications, where "Bravo" represents the letter B. When this is called, security staff immediately lock down affected areas, stop screening lines, and search for the source of the threat. To passengers, it’s sudden and confusing, but to security, it’s a carefully rehearsed response.

You are heading back to your cabin on a cruise ship when the speakers announce, "Code Alpha, Deck 7." You may think Alpha is related to the captain, but that’s not the case. It means someone on board is suffering a medical emergency.

The phrase comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where "Alpha" represents the letter A. In maritime emergency jargon, it became shorthand for a Priority A medical situation requiring immediate response. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line commonly use the term, though some ships use variations like repeating "Alpha" three times. Once the code is announced, onboard medical teams rush toward the specified deck or cabin. If necessary, stretcher crews are mobilized, and in severe cases, the ship may even divert course toward the nearest port for emergency evacuation. Passengers are enjoying the views, but the staff is running to save a life.

Anyone who remembers the CB radio craze of the 1970s probably smiles when they hear "10-4." Movies, truckers, and radio fans turned those number codes into a part of American culture. So if you overhear "10-33" on a police scanner, you might assume it’s just another routine message. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

The 10-code system was first created in 1937 by Illinois State Police communications director Charles Hopper and later standardized by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, better known as APCO. Officers needed short phrases they could understand clearly over crackling radio signals. The 10-33 code commonly means an officer needs emergency assistance. In some departments, it also signals radio silence so dispatchers can focus on the crisis unfolding in real time.

Disney World is amazing, the parks offer something for everyone, and there are things to see wherever you look. But that’s exactly the kind of place where a child can easily disappear into a sea of strollers, balloons, characters, and crowds. For that reason, Disney has developed the "Signal 70," which alerts cast members and security that a child has become separated from their family.

The number comes from older police and emergency radio systems, where "70" was commonly associated with missing persons. Disney adopted the phrase because it allows employees to communicate discreetly without frightening or alarming nearby guests. If a member finds the child, they gently -and magically- escort them to Baby Care Center, where they coordinate the reunion.

Cruises are great to relax, enjoying a good book under the sun with a nice drink by the side. Until you hear "Echo, echo, echo" on the speakers. If you do, something is happening somewhere else on the ship.

The code is used among cruise employees to signal that dangerous winds or a navigational hazard are affecting the ship. It comes from the international maritime phonetic alphabet, where "Echo" stands for the letter E. In maritime signalling, the letter traditionally means "I am altering my course to starboard." And, in time, the phrase became associated with urgent ship maneuvers and weather-related warnings. However urgent, the repetition of the word by three doesn’t represent life-threatening situations. It alerts the crew of a certain hazard to prepare while avoiding panic among passengers.