 |
I
E
T
N
A
M
110 SIG SQUADRON
|
|
Home
Abode
Library
Scripts
Linkz
Help |
|
  |
the slang |
       
This list was originally compiled as an appendix to my play on Vietnam, Baggy Green Skin, in an attempt to clarrify
some of the terms used therein. This list is therefore far from exhaustive,
nor are all the words presented here specific to Vietnam. Some are
not slang at all, just words common to all Australian military units while
some (like Nasho) are just slang that you would have encountered anywhere in
Australia around that time.
|
Any small group of people kept in some degree of isolation or in
someway set apart from the main stream of their culture tend to
develop their own dialect, their own language subset. This is in part
because they are insulated from the dynamic flood of new words
and ideas that assault the ear daily in print and on TV and
radio, and in part because the group has an unconcious sense of
identity, of uniqueness. It's this sense of identity, of being
something special that was largely responsible for the
"Vietnam-speak" used among signalmen in Vietnam.
The source of new words is interesting. Words and phrases are co-opted in from the language of the host nation (Vietnam in this case). Some words are ammended to reflect the local attempts at english. For example "the same as" becomes "same same". A whole host of words reflect the particular jobs people do, the tools they use, the places they go and the people they meet. In short, the new and in many ways different, world around them. And the words reflect their concerns. "reo", "nasho", "short timer" are more than just cute terms describing the place of an individual in the social strata. They are signposts to the feelings of men in limbo. Marking time in the void. Waiting, till they've served their time in purgatory and can return to their real life, their homes and families in Australia.
BAR GIRLS Purveyors of Siagon Teas. (SEE SIAGON TEA) CHARLIE RAMP Australian Terminal at the US airbase in Vung Tau. It consisted of an old tin shed and a coke machine. CLAYMORE A rather lethal mine used by the Australian troops in Vietnam. It consisted of a layer of explosive behind an array of 200 odd ball bearings. An excellent ambush weapon. Some were captured by the Viet Cong and turned against their original owners. CONDUCT TO THE PREJUDICE ...of good order and military discipline, is the full title. The original Catch 22. It is no longer sufficient as a charge on its own. It must be linked to some more specific charge. C.O. Commanding Officer. CRUNCHIE See GRUNT CURRENCY CHANGE Periodiically leave would be cancelled for the entire army (U.S. and Australian) and the currency would be changed. Notes not exchanged for the new design immediately became invalid. The idea was to prevent black market trading in the M.P.C. currency. It didn't work. Black marketeers still held M.P.C. as a working currency, putting their savings into the more expensive U.S. dollars. (see also M.P.C.) DI DI MAU Vietnamese invitation to get lost. Impolite. (pronounced Did he Mao (as in Chairman)) GOFFER A soft drink. Cake, etc. Presumably from "Gofer's" or morning tea. I'm told the term was also used in this sense in the navy during the 2nd world war. (Rhymes with "offer") GRUNT see CRUNCHIE HANG RAT One who engages in sexual persuit of the Bar Girls. INFANTRYMAN A foot soldier or long distance walker. The lowest form of army life. Cheap, expendable and brave. See also GRUNT and CRUNCHIE. "J", The Jeparit. The ship that carried essential supplies to the Australian Troops in Vietnam. The supplies were mostly beer, but also included cigarettes, whisky, vodka, gin, etc. LINES The barracks. The accomodation provided for soldiers. LONG HAI MOUNTAINS A range of mountains near Vung Tau. (pronounced Long High) LONG HAI PATROL A stir. See text. M.P.C. Military Payement Certificate. A currency issued by the U.S. army and valid only on U.S. and allied bases. Australian troops were payed in M.P.C. M.P.C. $1.00 = U.S. $1.00 M.P.'s Military police, The fuzz army style. Misanthropes one and all. Usually illegitimate. Characterised by sloping foreheads, granite chins and beady eyes. Not liked by the troops. NASHO's National servicemen. NUMBER 1 Bast possible. NUMBER 10 Worst possible. NOGS Vietnamese. Often, but not always, uncomplimentary. ONE A.L.S.G. First Australian Logistic Support Group. The Australian base in Vung Tau. PIASTRE The local currency. 110p to the dollar. Later 170p to the dollar. Later.... Q. STORE Quartermaster's store. A supermarket of military equipment. Soap, sheets, toiletpaper, towls. Everything from bandaids to bombs. R & R CENTRE Rest and Recreation Centre for soldiers on leave in Vung Tau. REO Replacement. New arrival. Is constantly being advised to "get some time up" by the old hands. SAME SAME The same as. "I'd like one same same yours". S.S.M. Squadron Sergeant Major. SHORT TIMER One who returns to Australia in less than twelve months. "Joe Bloggs, remember him? Bastard short timed by 3 days." SIAGON TEA Lolly water purveyed by the bar girls at 120p a glass. Entitled you to talk to the girl for the time it took her to drink same. The ability of the girls to stack the stuff away was prodigious. Some bar girls offered other services at prices considerably above 120p, but many were poor and honest and just trying to survive. SIG. Signalman. The lowest rank in the Corp of Signals. The Corp of Signals is an Arm of the Australian Army, not a Service, so the Signalmen carry sticks that go bang and are expected to know which end is which. SWAN An illegal photographic tour around the country side. Usually by air. This activity was made possible by the US army's private airline. After official space on any flight was taken the remaining space was available on a first come first served basis. No questions asked. One Aussie on a swan made it to Honalulu before he was arrested. 2 I.C. Second in Command. 2 R.T.B. Second Recruit Training Battalion. TEE TEE (Tea Tea) Very small. 3 R.A.R. Third Royal Australian Regiment. UC DA LOI (Ook da loy (rhymes with boy)) Literally land of the south. Australia. VIET CONG The baddies or the goodies, depending on your point of view.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For any further information about this site, the plays, or anything else Fred, he can be E-Mailed @ willettfj@hotmail.com copyright © 31-5-2002 Fred Willett |
|
|
|