--- title: "29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms" description: "The vernacular might not all be politically correct, but there is value to the history lessons in some of the Vietnam War slang terms." date: "2021-05-19" modified: "2021-05-20" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/29-of-the-best-politically-incorrect-vietnam-war-slang-terms/" categories: - "History" - "Join the Military" - "Military Culture" - "Vietnam War" - "War History" --- # 29 of the best politically incorrect Vietnam War slang terms ![A group of eight men in military uniforms are gathered around and inside a military vehicle. Most of them are sitting or leaning casually, with some smiling. The vehicle is dark-colored with a large white star and the number 15 on its side. The men appear relaxed and are wearing green fatigues and caps.]() Every generation of veterans has its own slang. The location of deployed troops, their mission and their allies all make for a unique lingo that can be pretty difficult to forget. --- ![]() *American troops in Vietnam (Pixabay)* That same vernacular isn't always politically correct. It's still worth looking at the non-PC Vietnam War slang used by troops while in country because it gives an insight into the endemic and recurring problems they faced at the time. Here are some of the less-PC terms used by American troops in Vietnam. ![]()Barbecue from a "Zippo Monitor" in Vietnam. (Wikimedia Commons) Barbecue – Armored Cavalry units requesting Napalm on a location. Bong Son Bomber – Giant sized joint or marijuana cigarette. Breaking Starch – Reference to dressing with a new set of dry cleaned or heavily starched fatigues. Charles – Formal for "Charlie" from the phonetic "Victor Charlie" abbreviation of Viet Cong. Charm School – Initial training and orientation upon arrival in-country. Cherry – Designation for new replacement from the states. Also known as the FNG (f\*cking new guy), fresh meat, or new citizens. Coka Girl – a Vietnamese woman who sells everything except "boom boom" to GIs. "Coka" comes from the Vietnamese pronunciation of Coca-Cola, and "boom boom" can be left to your imagination. Disneyland Far East – Headquarters building of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. It comes from "Disneyland East," aka the Pentagon. Donut Dolly – The women of the American Red Cross. ![vietnam war slang]() *The Donut Dollies. (From "Cherries: A Vietnam War Novel")* Fallopian tubing for inside the turrets of tanks – Prank used by tankers to send Cherries on a wild goose chase Flower Seeker – Originated from Vietnamese newspapers; describing men looking for prostitutes. Heads – Troops who used illicit drugs like marijuana. Ho Chi Minh Road Sticks – Vietnamese sandals made from old truck tires. ![vietnam war slang]() *Ho Chi Minh Road Sticks (from "Cherries: A Vietnam War Novel"\_* Idiot Stick – Either a rifle or the curved yoke used by Vietnamese women to carry two baskets or water buckets. Indian Country – Area controlled by Charlie, also known as the "Bush" or the "Sh\*t." Juicers – Alcoholics. Little People – Radio code for ARVN soldiers. Mad Minute – Order for all bunkers to shoot across their front for one minute to test fire weapons and harass the enemy. Marvin the Arvin – Stereotypical South Vietnamese Army soldier, similar to a Schmuckatelli. The name comes from the shorthand of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam – ARVN. Number-One GI – A troop who spends a lot of money in Vietnam. Number-Ten GI – A troop who barely spends money in Vietnam. Ok Sahlem – Term American soldiers had for villagers' children who would beg for menthol cigarettes. Real Life – Also known as Civilian Life; before the war or before the draft. Remington Raider – Derogatory term, like the modern-day "Fobbit," For anyone who manned a typewriter. Re-Up Bird – The Blue Eared Barbet, a jungle bird whose song sounds like "Re-Up." ![A small bird with predominantly green plumage, a blue face, and a red patch near its eye is perched on a thin branch among green leaves and small orange berries. The bird has a black beak and tail feathers that appear bluish. The background is softly blurred with natural light filtering through the foliage.]() *"Squaaaaak! Talk to your retention counselor! Squaaaaaaak!"* Search and Avoid – A derogatory term for an all-ARVN mission. Voting Machine – The nickname given to ARVN tanks because they only come out during a coup d'etat. Zippo Raids – Burning of Vietnamese villages. Zippo lighters were famously documented by journalist Morley Safer, seen igniting thatch-roof huts. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()