Elena Wicker
@elenawicker.bsky.social
Military jargon, terminology, dictionaries, and documents. Georgetown PhD. Buzzword enthusiast.
Political scientist here - just received the *perfect* spam text… #BowlingAlone
January 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Political scientist here - just received the *perfect* spam text… #BowlingAlone
SUBORDINATION, from an 1885 US military dictionary.
“It is subordination that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution.” (Insubordination not defined.)
“It is subordination that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution.” (Insubordination not defined.)
January 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
SUBORDINATION, from an 1885 US military dictionary.
“It is subordination that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution.” (Insubordination not defined.)
“It is subordination that gives a soul and harmony to the service: it adds strength to authority, and merit to obedience; and while it secures the efficacy of command, reflects honor upon its execution.” (Insubordination not defined.)
Most important article of a soldier’s rations? COFFEE. For its “exhilarating and refreshing properties.” (1885)
January 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Most important article of a soldier’s rations? COFFEE. For its “exhilarating and refreshing properties.” (1885)
Annual NDAA fun fact: The first NDAA from June 1961 was half a page long and had only three sections: aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels.
November 20, 2024 at 4:56 PM
Annual NDAA fun fact: The first NDAA from June 1961 was half a page long and had only three sections: aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels.
Navy dictionary from 1941.
November 19, 2024 at 3:01 AM
Navy dictionary from 1941.
Swacked, 1941 Navy slang:
November 17, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Swacked, 1941 Navy slang:
Military cyphers from 1810 👀
Silver, vinegar, rocks, spirituous particles…
Silver, vinegar, rocks, spirituous particles…
November 11, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Military cyphers from 1810 👀
Silver, vinegar, rocks, spirituous particles…
Silver, vinegar, rocks, spirituous particles…
The “favorite back position” for marksmanship from an 1885 U.S. military encyclopedia…
November 2, 2024 at 5:59 PM
The “favorite back position” for marksmanship from an 1885 U.S. military encyclopedia…
The type of archival document bullet that I have no ability to resist. Font wars?! Sans serif siege!
September 24, 2024 at 11:35 AM
The type of archival document bullet that I have no ability to resist. Font wars?! Sans serif siege!
Just going to drop this definition of “Pentagon English” here for you all…
October 19, 2023 at 11:19 PM
Just going to drop this definition of “Pentagon English” here for you all…
October 10, 2023 at 6:09 PM
Favorite fun fact about the NDAA: The first NDAA from June 1961 was half a page long and had three sections: aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels. (It is a little bit longer now.)
October 7, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Favorite fun fact about the NDAA: The first NDAA from June 1961 was half a page long and had three sections: aircraft, missiles, and naval vessels. (It is a little bit longer now.)
And the 1810 definition of “manœuvre:”
October 7, 2023 at 12:43 PM
And the 1810 definition of “manœuvre:”
MANEUVER as defined in the first *official* Army Dictionary in 1944. I love that for aircraft it depends on “movements out of the ordinary”…
October 7, 2023 at 12:38 PM
MANEUVER as defined in the first *official* Army Dictionary in 1944. I love that for aircraft it depends on “movements out of the ordinary”…
Stratarithmometry. 1779. That’s it. That’s the post.
September 29, 2023 at 2:51 PM
Stratarithmometry. 1779. That’s it. That’s the post.
We made it very clear to our Belgian Malinois that he is not allowed to stand on the low shelf to look out the window. His solution: #ChairsAreForSits
September 29, 2023 at 12:10 AM
We made it very clear to our Belgian Malinois that he is not allowed to stand on the low shelf to look out the window. His solution: #ChairsAreForSits
Apparently in 1779, there were these things called message balls or message shells.
You hollowed out a howitzer shell, put your letter inside, and then SHOT IT AT YOUR INTENDED RECIPIENT.
You hollowed out a howitzer shell, put your letter inside, and then SHOT IT AT YOUR INTENDED RECIPIENT.
September 28, 2023 at 11:12 PM
Apparently in 1779, there were these things called message balls or message shells.
You hollowed out a howitzer shell, put your letter inside, and then SHOT IT AT YOUR INTENDED RECIPIENT.
You hollowed out a howitzer shell, put your letter inside, and then SHOT IT AT YOUR INTENDED RECIPIENT.