Slang: Words at War

Most people know that hobbits are found in the Shire, but military personnel in Iraq know that "fobbits"—as they are dismissively called by soldiers on the front lines—serve at forward operating bases in Iraq. Wars always generate new slang, which serves crucial psychological functions for soldiers. Among the benefits:

• Lightening the mood.

  "Slang helps soldiers bullshit about bombs and terrorists, which helps you keep your sanity," says Sgt. Timothy Boggs. "We had fun in March, as we always warned each other before we went out, 'beware the IEDs of March.' "

• Establishing group identity.

  All slang separates insiders from outsiders, sending the message, "If you know the lingo, you're one of us." Some terms specifically designate subgroups. Besides "fobbit," older insults for non-combatants include "POG" (person other than grunt) and "hangar pilot."

• Connecting with home.

  "Mortaritaville," a name for a frequently attacked base, is inspired by Jimmy Buffet. Michael Adams, author of Slang: The People's Poetry, says, "pop culture cuts through the slang lexicon in a big way"—providing reassuring reminders of life away from the chaos.

• Venting frustration.

  "Hillbilly armor" refers to the MacGyver-ish efforts of soldiers to protect their vehicles with spare metal, and "pope glass"—picture the pope mobile's bulletproof windows. Soldiers invent "mildly pejorative terms" to help them blow off steam, Adams says.

• Dehumanizing the enemy.

  There's obviously a dark side to old terms like gook and the new word "Haji"—a term for any Iraqi or Middle Easterner. As one anonymous U.S. sergeant explained, "It's easier to call your enemy a name instead of referring to them as what they are, because it helps you not care about them."