---
title: "5 British army slang terms you need to know for your next joint mission"
description: "So check out this list of slang terms you just might hear from your British counterparts on your next deployment."
date: "2021-03-02"
modified: "2021-03-03"
authors:
  - name: "Tim Kirkpatrick"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tkirkpatrick/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-life/5-british-army-slang-you-need-to-know/"
categories:
  - "Join the Military"
  - "Military Culture"
---

# 5 British army slang terms you need to know for your next joint mission

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17314608/origin.jpg>)

Although the United States and Britain have had their share of disputes early on in American history, today the two countries are the closest of friends.

---

In case you were living under a rock, British troops fought alongside US in the global war on terror. That means while our service members are overseas, there's a solid chance they will encounter members of the British army on a joint mission.

That being said, the British have some popular slang terms that we Americans don't use but probably should know.

### Related: [This British soldier may have spared Hitler's life during WWI](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/this-british-soldier-may-have-spared-hitlers-life-during-wwi/>)

So check out this list of slang terms you just might hear from your British counterparts on your next deployment.

## 1. "REMF"

This term stands for "rear echelon mother f\*cker" which is directed to those service members who have cushy jobs (non-combat related) while stationed in the rear.

## 2. "Crow Bag"

Reportedly, this hilarious term stems from WWI and means "combat recruit of war." The title is given to the newest of army newbies fresh out of boot camp.

## 3. "Lizard"

Meaning, an individual who screws up idiotically. That is all.

## 4. "Jack"

This term has several different meanings including selfish, lazy, and workshy (unwilling to work). Jack is the guy no one wants in their unit.

### Also Read: [This British sniper took out six insurgents by detonating a Taliban suicide vest](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/this-british-sniper-took-out-six-insurgents-by-detonating-a-taliban-suicide-vest/>)

## 5. "Ally"

This is one of their more popular slang terms which means stylish, tough or hardworking. In comparison, our American troops wouldn't use that word to describe a hardcore Marine — just saying.

## Bonus: NATO

No, this one doesn't stand for North Atlantic Treaty Organization like our minds default into thinking. It's apparently a common phrase meaning a white tea with two sugars.

You can't make this stuff up.

Check out [Liam Brown](<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDK-L1efdz873nmcPm2xQA>)'s video below to hear these slang words perfectly pronounced and explained for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2MUlht3BGE

YouTube, [LiamBrown](<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxDK-L1efdz873nmcPm2xQA>)

## Author
Tim Kirkpatrick entered the Navy in 2007 as a Hospital Corpsman and deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines in the fall of 2010. Tim now has degrees in both Film Production and Screenwriting. tim.kirkpatrick@wearethemighty.com