Cadets, like many young people have their own language. Many of the terms used on this page are those used by cadets, sometimes referred to as Cadet Slang. Unlike teenager's slang which seems to change with generations, many of the Cadet Slang terms have been around for years but are still somewhat unique so it was felt that a Glossary of Terms should be provided for those not familiar with the Cadet "language".

Bone - To study; to strive for something

Boodlers
The Cadet boodle store.

Bugle Notes
'Cadet Bible' - book with historical and required knowledge, issued to 4th class cadets.

Butt
The remains of anything as in the butt of a month or there are 171 and abutt days until graduation.

Cadet Classes:

First Classmen -- Firsties, Seniors

Second Classmen -- Cows, Juniors

Third Classmen--Yearlings, Yuks, Sophomores The term Yuks is a relatively new term. I'm not sure when this started. I know that the term was used when I was a plebe (fall of1988). I do know why it is 'Yuk.' The reason is that after you finish your plebe year of having the strictest discipline, as a yearling, without as many people looking over you, yearlings were known to let their hair grow to the limits,shine their shoes only for inspections, etc. The term was the response to how they looked "Yuk!" Not all did this, but enough did to rate the term.

Fourth Classmen -- Plebes, Freshmen

CBT
Cadet Basic Training (Formerly called Beast Barracks)

Civies
Civillian Clothes

Class Godson
The first son born after graduation to a member of the class

Goat(s)
The cadets who stand in the lower part of their class academically.
The cadet standing academically last in his class is referred to as the Class Goat.

Cold
Absolutely without error, as, "a cold max."

Com
The Commandant of Cadets

D
D is slang for Deficient and normally refers to being Deficient or not passing in Academics.

Drag
A young lady whom a cadet is escorting

Elephant
One who can't dance. A cadet taking dancing lessons.

Fatigue Tour
One hour of punishment

Hives
The cadets who stand in the upper 5 % of their class academically. May also be referred to as Engineers since those in this category used to choose the Engineer Corps as their branch of service following graduation.

Hop
Cadet Dance

Max
A complete success; a maximum. To make a perfect grade in an academic class or recitation.

Minutes
Time remaining before inspection.

Missouri NationaL
A tune supposed to bring rain, normally sung before parades in the hope that they will be canceled

New Cadet
A cadet not yet officially accepted as a member of the Corps (i.e., during CBT)

OAO
A cadet's One And Only, the steady, the fiancee

OC -- Officer in Charge
A Commissioned Officer from the Department of Tactics serving as the Officer of the Day (OD)

P
An academic instructor or Professor

P-RADE
A parade

P.D.A.
Public Display of Affection

P.M.I.
Afternoon or evening (p.m. inspection)

Poop
Information to be memorized

Poop Deck
The balcony in the dining hall from which the orders are published (read to the Corps)

Pro
Pro is slang for Proficient and normally refers to being Proficient or passing in Academics. May also be used to refer to a cadet's date as being good looking.

Recognize
To place a fourth classman on upper class status.

Sally port
The arched entrances into the Barracks areas

Slug
A special punishment for a serious offense. Results in loss of privileges, special fatigue duty, confinement to room during off duty hours,and may result in walking punishment tours.

***

In recent years, it has also been used to define a lazy cadet, one out of shape, one not pulling his load, and one not doing his duty.

Spec (speck)
To memorize verbatim, as: "to spec blind"

Spoon Up
To put in order, to clean up.

Spoony
Neat in personal appearance.

Supe
The Superintendent of the Military Academy

Storm
A disordered condition. (Said of things.) A nervous haste. (Said of persons.)

TAC
A Company Tactical Officer, the Officer assigned to supervise and guide the four classes in a Cadet Company

Cadets often nickname their TACs, unbeknownst to the TACs. Some of the nicknames have been: "Ace" for the TAC whose initials were A.S.C.; "the Wedge" because the wedge is the simplest tool known to mankind: "Spoony"because the TAC was always immaculate in his uniform; and "The Shadow" because he always knew what the cadets were doing even though they never saw him. Another was nicknamed "The Tapper" because he wore a metal tap plate on one shoe. When the cadets heard the 'tap sound', they thought he was walking normally up the stairs when in reality, he was walking up twice as fast since the 'tap sound' only echoed on every other stair.

Turnback
A readmitted cadet.

Walrus
Anyone who can't swim.

Wife
Used to refer to a cadet's roommate(s). Don't know what is used today with the admittance of female cadets.

Writ
A written examination

WPR
A Written Partial Review similar to a mid-term exam in civilian schools

WGR
A Written General Review similar to a final exam in civilian schools. Now called TEE for Term End Exam.