40 Military Phrases That Fly Over Civilians’ Heads

Leg

Historically, the term “leg” has been a way for soldiers in jump-status Airborne units to refer to their peers in non-Airborne units. The term is used to refer to the straight-leg seam that runs down the front of the trousers in their dress uniform, as opposed to the bloused trousers that are a part of the Airborne tradition. In the military, this term can be used as a form of teasing, as non-Airborne soldiers are seen as “beneath contempt” by their Airborne counterparts. Moreover, a soldier who has gone through Jump School but is not in an Airborne unit might be teased using this term, though care must be taken to ensure that the soldier shares the sense of humor. Finally, a soldier who has not completed Jump School should not be boastful about being “Airborne” as this could lead to a negative confrontation with an experienced paratrooper. Ultimately, “leg” is a term that is used to separate Airborne soldiers from the rest and should be used with caution.
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